41 Fidel Castro Street, Windhoek 9000, Namibia

PO Box 2963, Windhoek, Namibia

+264 61 229 007

Diploma and certificate programs

Diploma in Performing Arts. Three years. An interdisciplinary program involving music, dance and drama. Studies include performance (Western, jazz/pop, Namibian traditional instruments), ethnomusicology, arts administration, music education.

Founded in 1971 the Windhoek College for the Arts is a state-funded institution offering training in music, dance, visual arts, and drama, fashion design, sound and television production, mainly on a part-time basis, to a full range of ages from young children to interested adults. It is run under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. There are also full-time professional diploma courses in applied arts. The College operates from several centres in Windhoek as well as in regional towns, providing after-school programs five days per week. Programs are organised for hearing-impaired and visually-impaired students. In-service training programs and tuition are provided for teachers in schools and colleges of education. Scholarships are provided for needy and talented students. In addition to its role in providing performance tuition, the College aims to research Namibian artistic styles and repertoire. There is an annual concerto festival. Tuition is available at all levels in piano, electronic keyboard, organ, harpsichord, guitar, electric guitar, recorder, drum kit, voice, orchestral instruments, African instruments (marimba, mbira, African drumming) African performing arts and dance, jazz and popular music styles as well as in general music subjects. Students are encouraged to present for examinations conducted by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Trinity/Guildhall London and the University of South Africa (UNISA). The College itself has a graded system of examinations in performance, culminating in a Licentiate Diploma at both Teacher’s and Performer’s levels. A number of instruments are available for hire to beginners, enabling them to learn for one year before purchasing one for themselves. There is a well-equipped library and a collection of African instruments. As part of its Outreach Program the College organises the Namibian National Youth Choir and the Namibian National Children’s Choir.

March 2022