By Ibrahim Sorious Samura

One of the best things that has happened to the arts and creative industries of Sierra Leone is the introduction and establishment of a higher learning institution for creative and performing arts. The institute offers persons special talents and interest in arts with the opportunity to acquire professional knowledge and training at both Certificate and Diploma levels.

The Empire Arts Institute (EAI) is a non-governmental private sector institution that offers creative and inquisitive learning in Theatre Arts, Stage Management, Fine Arts & Crafts, Production management, Set, costume, Lighting Design, Playwriting, Drama and Entrepreneurships in Sierra Leone. Empire Arts intend to teach artists to develop their skills and personal drive to reach their creative potentials, question received ideas and expand forms of knowledge and experience in Sierra Leone.

With Empire Arts Institute in Sierra Leone, there is no need to travel to Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and other parts of the world to acquire knowledge and skills in the areas mentioned above. The institute is endowed with professional tutors who have excelled in the field of academia and the creative industries. The serene learning atmosphere and the fully equipped learning facilities, make the institute a perfect destination for every student.

The Founder of EAI, Yoko Mahiteh Reffell-Wyse is a Sierra Leonean Barrister who has practice in the UK, and holds a Degree in Performing Arts. She is passionate about empowering young people, especially those trapped in talents and skills based professions.

The object for which EAI was established is teaching, research, serving as an examining body and the provision of professional, community as well as commercial services.

The Government of Sierra Leone is committed to investing in the development of human resource in order to meet the major objective of Vision 2030 which is to create a knowledge-based and technology-led economy. Comprehensive human resources development is considered to be one of the necessary pillars to reach the status of a middle income country.  Sierra Leone’s economy is characterized by a serious lack of qualified people in the workforce, particularly in the liberal arts and technical sectors. The goal of education and TVET is therefore to fight ignorance and illiteracy so as to produce competent human resources for economic and social development.

The Empire Arts Institute is accredited by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the National Council for Technical, Vocational and other Academic Awards (NCTVA). The EAI is comprised of a Board of Governors, a Principal, a Registrar/Secretary, a Financial Officer, and an Academic Board.

The Institute offers the following courses:

1. National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in PRACTICAL ARTS

This is a 3 Year Course where students specialise in either Performing Arts or Visual Arts at end of the course.

2. National Diploma (OND) in PRACTICAL ARTS

This is a 2 Year Course where students specialise in Musical & Theatre Design, Theatre Production & Management, Acting for Film and Television, Fine Arts & Crafts, Clothing & Textiles or Graphics Design

For enquiries, contact 40B Riverside Drive, Off Kingharman Road, Brookfields, Freetown, Sierra Leone, or call +23288006111