FirstBank, in recognition of the huge potential of the creative arts industry in reducing the rate of unemployment in Nigeria is supporting the entire value chain of the creative arts, providing much needed financing and advisory services, showcasing and facilitating the successes of the industry, and enabling our customers explore the wealth of opportunities the creative industry has to offer.
First@arts is an initiative under which the Bank consolidates all its efforts in the arts. This initiative was borne out of the Bank’s drive to promote the arts, preserve cultural heritage and develop capacity. Through First@arts, FirstBank has been able to better meet the growing business, occupational and entertainment needs of her customers. It is another platform through which we ensure that we put our customers first.
FirstBank entered into partnership with British Council Nigeria and Lork Enterprise LLP, managers of Freedom Park, to drive several arts and theatrical performances in Freedom Park as well as build capacity in developing the latent talent of budding artists.
From February 23-28, 2016, Lagos Theatre Festival (LTF) held in over 15 venues with over 100 performances. LTF is a yearly performing arts festival created in 2013 by the British Council. The Festival provided opportunity for artists who possess skills in script writing, casting, stage management, costuming and production to be recognised and celebrated for their works. Funds from partnerships with organisations like British Council were used in the development of the individuals and organisations engaged to produce the plays at the Festival.
In August 2016, First@arts took advantage of the summer break and hosted children aged 6 to 10 years old to a performing arts workshop with “Grandma Wura†an iconic theatre figure for children. Children at the event were trained on one of the brand’s core values, Leadership, with the use of storytelling as an educative and entertaining tool; they participated in one of the following training groups: Dancing, Singing, Acting, Handcraft, towards the creation of a short play while the event wrapped up with a drama presentation on leadership by Grandma Wura and her crew. Other activities featured at the event include the Lay
