In 2020, the County Government of Embu established a Talent Academy whose purpose is to identify, nurture and develop creative and sports talents.
Previously, many artists entrepreneurs in the creative industry had to travel to Nairobi or other major towns to access services such as music and video production. These were exorbitantly priced, making them out of reach for the many vulnerable Embu youths who were seeking to create jobs in the creative industry.
The Academy today provides free space for indoor and outdoor sports, recreation, conferencing and a fully-furnished music production studio. Some chargeable activities like meetings, sports tournaments, trainings and concerts grounds are offered at subsidized fees. The Academy serves approximately 500 youths weekly in different sectors.
Between March 2020 and December 2021, at least 200 audio tracks by over 50 artists have used the Academy studio. The free film production trainings have benefited 60 participants with five films produced by beneficiaries of these training programmes. Scores of others have accessed media jobs or are self-employed as videographers in weddings, as MCs at dowries, etc.
Others formed a CBO called Sanaa na Kahawa that attracts around 400 youths weekly for live performances, talent exchange, networking, youth-related issues and talent development.
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