The impact of the College of Art on the socio-economic development of Ghana

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2000-01-29
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The College of Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, is socio-economically important to the development of Ghana. However, due to certain problems like poor infrastructure, inadequate tools and equipment, lack of certain relevant courses, little scientific application and insufficient financial assistance among others, it has not contributed most meaningfully to make Ghanaians fully realise its significance to the nation’s development. In view of this, this thesis emphasises the need for restructuring courses offered in the Art College and outlines valuable suggestions and recommendations (like financial aid, acquisition of modern equipment, integration of more scientific knowledge in art, adequate space, etc.) that will make them more relevant to the socio-economic development bf this nation. This would help promote and project the image of the art programmes in this institution, both locally and internationally. In fact, this literary work shows by its analysis, presentation, arguments and suggestions that art is important in all human endeavour that require some degree of skill and help create better living conditions Also, it has emphatically buttresses the capabilities of art and disputes the erroneous notion that art is mere drawing and painting The thesis further enumerates and explains comprehensively how art is important in such sectors of the economy as agriculture, commerce politics health delivery and transportation to mention just a few It gives a vivid pictorial overview of diverse artistic images executed at the College of Art and how they relay visual communicativee messages in order that they would serve utilitarian purposes for the development of nations, especially Ghana. As a valuable store of information for researchers, policy-makers, curriculum planners and businessmen, this thesis dilates on the socio-economic relevance of the art school in the manpower training so as to make artists and, Ghanaians in general to be better inclined and self-motivated to initiate plans and actions towards achieving their socio-economic aspirations. In another development, this thesis explains how total socio-economic development is influenced by artistic and psychological tendencies that form the central core of man’s intellectual faculties. It portrays how knowledge and skill are mutually employed in creative activities to enhance development. By these indications, this thesis hopes that the future of the College and Ghana as a whole could become brighter if the suggestions and recommendations offered would be adopted. Implementing these ideas should help accelerate the development process so that our nation could also catch up with developed nations.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in African Art, 2000
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