K-P government announces funds to support artists, singers and writers. PHOTO; File
PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government announced on Tuesday a monthly stipend of Rs30,000 for selected talented artistes and singers of the province.
“The government is making efforts to revive cultural activities in the province by facilitating artistes in producing quality work,” said Ajmal Khan, the head of the Directorate of Culture, Peshawar.
Funds were allocated for this project in the 2016-17 budget. The move aims at assisting artistes, singers, poets and painters, whose work has suffered greatly because of the militancy in the province.
Creative grants: K-P funds artists to promote local culture
“These remunerations will play a positive role in supporting and honing the talent in the province” said Khan.
This will be the second phase of the stipends similar to the previous year when the provincial government provided stipends to 500 artists.
The beneficiaries were selected through a committee comprising senior artists, singers and writers from different parts of the province.
The K-P government has to re-start the project as a large number of artists are approaching the directorate of culture for financial assistance.
Stipend: Artists, singers to be given Rs30,000 per month
“The criterion for the stipends does not require the artists to be poor but those artists will be provided who have produced quality work in their field of arts and literature” said Khan.
He added, "The construction of cultural complexes in each division of the province and art academy in Peshawar will soon be completed to provide artistes with more venues to perform at."
Endowment fund for the welfare of artists; writers and artisans will also be set up.
Besides the monthly stipends, the directorate will also give away Rs300,000 each to the best drama artiste, writer and singer of the year.
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