THE visual art sector of the creative industry will be one of the major beneficiaries of the new Copyright Bill when Presidential assent accords it the force of law.

Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Dr. John O. Asein revealed this during the fourth edition of ARTru Concert and Awards held at Glover Hall, Lagos on 13th August 2022.

According to him, “The new Copyright Bill will galvanise the creative sector. There is a lot for the visual art sector in the new Bill. The NCC is looking forward to when the visual art sector will get royalties for the exploitation or use of their works. As a Commission, NCC will lend its voice to a national policy to ensure that we give the visual art sector a role in, for instance, the erection of monuments in public spaces.”

On his part, the Producer of ARTru Concert and Awards, Otunba Nkang Ini Dan disclosed that the concert would give hope to visual art and artists in the industry. Otunba Nkang, who is also the Assistant Welfare Director, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), said there was a lot to be achieved in investing and projecting the visual art which has not gained enough popularity as it should.

He stated that the ARTru Concert and Awards project with the theme “The New Normal”, was designed to let young people, parents, private individuals, and Government know that “there is a lot to benefit in promoting visual arts”.

Otunba Nkang also called for more support, adding that the impact of the Nigerian art has led to instances where artifacts that had been in other museums around the world were being returned to Nigeria.

Awards were presented to recipients in several categories including the Distinguished Master Artist Award, Distinguished Art Scholar Award and other categories, to celebrate contributors to visual art.