An Enquiry into factors that influence acquisition of local painting among local Tanzanians

Despite the general agreement that Tanzanians are great admirers of visual arts and the vivid evidence of Tanzania government’s and private institutions’ willingness to invest and support art, local Tanzanians seem to be reluctant in acquiring local painting. Hence this research intended to enquire into factors that obstruct acquisition of local painting among local Tanzanians. The objectives of this study were to find out whether religious beliefs, art education or economic factors obstruct local painting acquisition in Tanzania; to examine the relationship between contemporary art and the definition of ‘a good local painting’ among local Tanzanians; and to check if and how modernity affects local painting acquisition among local Tanzanians. The study was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar where most of local painting stakeholders are found. Research instruments used to collect data were interviews, documentary sources, and observation. The research used a purposive sampling approach during the study (Kothari, 2004). The study has found that religious beliefs, art education and economic factors are no longer the only factors influencing art acquisition locally as stated in previous studies (Jengo: 2008). Good local paintings are scarce. They are taken to be for elites, well-to- do class and foreigners. Some galleries; hence they deny them access into the gallery. Conversely, extensive growth of technology and life improvements in Tanzania and all over the world has also become another factor obstructing the acquisition of local painitng among the local Tanzanians.