From Discussion to Action: Next Steps for Arts Law Reform in Tanzania

Meeting Overview:

A follow-up advocacy meeting was held on May, 2025, in Dodoma with members of the Parliamentary Committee on Governance, Constitutional, and Legal Affairs. The goal was to propose amendments to the National Arts Act No. 23 of 1984 to align it with modern artistic practices and human rights standards.

Key Issues Discussed:

1. Fees and Permits:Proposed reducing or exempting fees for amateur and non-commercial artists to uphold cultural rights.

2. Criminalization of Non-registered Artists:Advocated removing penalties for unregistered artists to ensure accessibility to artistic expression.

3. Artistic Censorship:Called for clearer, fairer censorship processes that respect freedom of expression.

4. Roles of the National Arts Council: Suggested refocusing the Council’s role on sector development rather than regulation.

5. Gender Mainstreaming: Proposed inclusive decision-making bodies to address gender disparities in the arts

6. Digital Arts Recognition:Pushed for updates to include emerging digital art forms (e.g., VR, AI, NFTs) in the legal framework.

Challenges Highlighted:

- Political pressures from upcoming elections delayed legislative action.

- Need for broader consultations with legal and human rights bodies before advancing reforms.

Next Steps:

- Refine amendment proposals with legal experts.

- Consult key stakeholders (e.g., Attorney General’s office, Human Rights Commission).

- Establish a parliamentary caucus for the creative industry to champion reforms.

- Organize further meetings with civil societies and government bodies.

Outcome:

The meeting laid the groundwork for future advocacy, emphasizing collaboration and legal alignment to international human rights standards and current needs of the arts and cultural sector