Professional Theatre Management, the Panacea for Cultural Promotion in the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture

Abstract

The Bayelsa state Council for Arts and Culture is a government owned cultural institution established by law for the preservation, promotion and presentation of the rich cultural heritage of Bayelsa people. Most arts councils in Nigeria are being managed by non theatre experts. This is because of employment of non theatre arts graduates in the civil service or as a result of political patronage on the part of the governor who appoints the director. The effect of this is inefficiency as the persons so appointed do not understand the artistic requirements that will push for maximum output by the artists. This paper takes a critical look at these issues as it discusses theatre management and cultural promotion in the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. It is recommended that the Bayelsa State Government should always appoint a well experienced theatre manager as Executive Director of the council and the appointments of the different heads of departments in the council should be seasoned theatre practitioners who are well trained. Also, this study has lent voice for the call for emergence of professional theatre managers in various arts council with emphasis on the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture.