ATANG LORATO ARNOLD

Atang L.S Arnold is the creative mind behind "The Space Botswana," an art gallery and creative hub in Maun, Botswana. She is the founding manager, gallerist, and curator of the space. Atang holds a degree in creative multimedia and runs her own multimedia production company, called Lipstick and Dust (Pty) Ltd. Atang has been acknowledged for her remarkable work in the creative industry. She was chosen as a creative delegate for Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa 2023.

“Mentors Encourage Constructive Feedback and Help Build Self-confidence”

Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings! 

I have always loved art. From being awarded the best handwriting to being the class monitor, my childhood was filled with colour and play. The playground was my source of joy, where I could meet students from different backgrounds and classes. I was heavily into sports, particularly swimming, basketball and athletics and even played for the national team. Besides art, my favourite subject was literature.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

In my society, one of the major challenges we face is the pervasive lack of education, particularly in the fields of arts and general education. This hinders the overall progress and development of the community. Additionally, our society lacks a supportive community environment, which is particularly detrimental due to the very strict cultural norms and gender roles that are enforced. This lack of support and understanding further exacerbates the challenges we face.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

I have faced the challenge of deciding on and sticking to a career path, which has been difficult for me. The field of art is not common in Botswana and other African countries. I have often been labelled as "the one who is into art or "art thing". When I reached high school, my art teacher helped me see my potential. My IGCSE final project was different from the rest because I chose to do an abstract piece and fully explained why I chose it. Through research and self-education, I also got to explore other opportunities and professions in the field of art.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

Mentors play a crucial role in my personal and professional development. They offer valuable insights and advice based on their experiences, helping me navigate my career path, make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Additionally, they assist in developing specific skills and competencies, providing practical knowledge and feedback that can accelerate the learning process. In Botswana, mentorship is not common, making it difficult to have certain conversations. Mentors encourage constructive feedback and help build self-confidence. Regular check-ins with a mentor create a sense of accountability, motivating us as mentees to stay on track with our goals and commitments. They also provide a safe space for discussions.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Work. - When I had this dream in high school of owning a private art gallery and having an art community, it seemed so far-fetched, because there was nothing of what I was dreaming of in Botswana. When I completed my university and went on internships, I had been saving every penny I made, even from part-time jobs. Still, it proved to be difficult but I had to be innovative in the way I was going to make this happen. After 7 years of saving up and waiting, I managed to get a second-hand shipping container and converted it into a gallery and creative hub in 2019, making me the first Motswana female in my country to own and run a gallery/creative hub. To today there are two more galleries with residencies. This, for me, has had to be my biggest life lesson, we plan but hard work decides.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

Setabane and Banana Club are both successful projects advocating for LGBTQIA rights in Botswana. Given the high number of assaults, they have collaborated with individuals and artists to educate them about human rights and how to interact with queer, gay, and transgender individuals. They have created zines and organised awareness competitions and campaigns to educate the people of Botswana. Despite the strictness of the government and traditions in Botswana, these projects demonstrate strength in standing up for people and improving lives.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Challenges that women in my country face are not being at the tables and in positions that we can contribute to the economy. We do not have a say in our own communities due to traditional reasons and beliefs. Our population also contributes to the challenges.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

Life is what you make of it.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do? 

I have two main goals if I had the money needed. Firstly, I plan to establish the Art Palette Association, which I recently registered in June, with the guidance of my mentor Farah from this GTF mentoring programme. Secondly, I aim to organise an International Art Fair in Botswana, Africa. This will involve purchasing land and constructing a venue to ensure its long-term economic sustainability. I also plan to invite international galleries and hubs to participate in the Fair and explore Botswana's highlighted UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Tsodilo Hills and The Okavango Delta. The Fair will not only feature traditional art exhibitions, but also include educational tours focusing on nature, landscape and ethnic groups, in line with global standards for successful art fairs.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add? 

I would like to further my career by earning an MA in Cultural Policy and Art Management, Art Business, Art Journalism, or Curatorship. We do not have universities around for specific fields. I am currently looking for scholarships and recommendations would be highly appreciated.