Evaluation of the place of visual artists in Mauritius
This paper presents findings and analysis of a research study, an overall objective to evaluate the place of the visual artists in Mauritius, to provide insight into their work, and to support them in the process. Data was gathered through primary research, field-visits, observations, eight interviews of individuals from the creative industry, and a workshop was held by the researcher and secondary research (social media, news report, cultural policy documents, scholarly journals, scholarly articles). The research supports the view that visual artists should have a part to play in creating public and governmental awareness around artists who are trying to make a full-time living from their art. The overall objective of this report is to provide a better understanding of the place of visual artists in Mauritius; to find the gaps between official cultural policy and the artists’ conditions through artists’ perspectives, and map the visual art ecosystem of Mauritius. The report concludes that there is scope for consideration of more varied approaches, which will benefit visual artists who require a public platform for current work and ideas, want to develop their careers, and find resources to support them.