Arguably, Arts Center Accra is one of the most visited places in Ghana by international tourists. Bright Akwerh, Serge Attukwei-Clottey, and Ibrahim Mahama are among the artists from Africa and Ghana whose work is gaining traction around the world. The critically renowned Chale Wote Street Art Festival has also contributed to the country’s arts environment by increasing interest in Ghanaian artists’ and artisans’ paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and textiles.
Accra Arts Centre is another name for the Centre for National Culture in Accra, Ghana’s capital. The Centre’s arts, crafts bazaar, and traditional textile market in Ghana are the greatest places to go to see and buy locally made traditional handicrafts such as woven kente cloths, sculptures, carvings, leather bags, and jewelry, beads, African costume, and woven baskets.
The art galleries and a variety of other traditional items depicting Ghana’s history and heritage, as well as crafts from other neighboring nations, are worth seeing. There is also a bulletin board at the main hall’s entrance that lists future programs, plays, and cultural events.
The market struggle encounter is an intriguing feature that may increase your pleasure. You must pass through Tema Station, a highly bustling market center in Accra Central, before reaching the Accra Arts Centre. There are many more historical places in the neighborhood worth visiting while you’re out shopping.
Sellers will always try to persuade passers-by to buy their wares by approaching them with sugary phrases only to capture their attention; you would admire such a business strategy.
When visiting the Accra Arts Centre, any clothing that allows you to try on additional outfits you might wish to buy while you’re there is appropriate. Photographing traders and other interesting objects are permitted with permission. As a traveler, you need to seriously bargain whenever buying a product.
You may also find a variety of restaurants, financial institutions, and lodging options nearby to fulfill your needs.
Arts center Accra Facilities
There are facilities at the Arts center Accra you need to know before visiting. In this post, I would like to share with you the most important ones.
Textile and Weaving Section
This area is in charge of making Kente strips, batik tye and dye, and other traditional fabrics, which are mostly sold at the craft shop. It’s a producing unit, as well as a resource and educational center. The department takes part in and demonstrates a variety of programs both within and outside the center.
Craft and textile market
A significant traditional textile and artifact market is also organized by the Centre, which hosts textile makers and suppliers who deal with carvings and other crafts. This market is evolving into the hub of a thriving artifact export center.
The Ceramics and Pottery Section
Ceramics and Pottery are primarily concerned with the creation of pottery and ceramic products. It also acts as a resource/educational center for all types of students and other persons, including hobbyists, researchers, and students, who are guided through the fundamentals and processes of pottery and ceramics through practical demonstration.
Things to Find At Arts Center Accra
Textiles
With its vibrant colors and geometrical patterns handwoven into strips of cloth, Kente is the most distinctive piece of fabric from West Africa. The fabric is revered in Akan culture and is worn on significant occasions. It is slightly more expensive than other fabrics, such as locally created wax print or batik, which weigh far less than kente. Northern Ghana smocks are just as valued as kente. Indigo tunics are adaptable and may be worn with a variety of outfits to make a strong fashion statement.
Beads and Jewellery
Clay, wood, and glass are all used to make local beads. Glass Krobo beads are the greatest to buy since they are the only beads in the world that’sing.’ You’ll be spoiled for choice because they come in a variety of colors and styles and are affordable. Ghanaian jewelry is also produced in Adinkra motifs, which are distinctive indigenous patterns.
Each emblem has its unique meaning, which symbolizes the wearer’s personality traits like bravery, knowledge, and valor. Although Ghana is a large producer of gold and diamonds, purchasing expensive jewelry at the Arts Centre is not recommended. Brass, bronze, and stainless steel are used to make the majority of the trinkets. Prominent retail centers throughout the city contain merchants who can verify the purity of their materials for authentic jewelry.
Sculptures and drums
Another popular item is drums. They are carved from solid tropical wood and topped with the skins of cattle, antelope, or deer, and vary in various shapes and sizes depending on the ethnic community from where they originate. They make excellent gifts and go well with a tiny xylophone or kora. Wooden sculptures, such as masks, combs, men, and women, and animals such as elephants and lions, are plentiful on the market.
Paintings
Because most of the painters are unknown, the paintings are frequently inexpensive. Good pieces showing contemporary settings and traditional heroes can be found. Instead of going to the Arts Centre, go to one of the big galleries where you can verify authenticity. You can buy modern pieces by well-known Ghanaian artists like Ablade Glover at sites like Gallery 1957 and the Artist Alliance Gallery.
Direction / Location
The Centre for National Culture is interestingly positioned in Accra Central, near other historical landmarks in Ghana. From any section of Accra, take a minibus (trotro) or taxi to the High Streets of the Accra Central Business District, where the Accra Arts Centre is located between the Old Parliament House and the National Lotteries Office.
Contacts
Phone
+233 504050824
+233 273680867
E mail:
cncaccra@yahoo.com
Whatsapp:
+233 504050824
+233 273680867
Website
cncaccra.gov.gh
Facebook:
centrefornationalcultureaccra
Instagram:
cncaccra
Nearby attraction
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
Independence Square
Osu Castle
Lighthouse, Jamestown
National Theatre
Dubois Center for Panafrican Culture