ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Norway would join in the efforts for the promotion of performing arts in Pakistan, according to an agreement of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) with the Norwegian agency Norad.

The agreement envisages two projects, the first of which aims to pump Rs6.72 million into theatrical education in the country, with a Rs3.72 million Norwegian contribution.

The PNCA’s Dramatic Acade-my will use the funds to offer a variety of learning modalities to amateur artistes of stage, film, radio and television. Experienced artistes will share their expertise with the budding artistes.

According to the three-year project, the Drama Academy will offer nine four-month certificate courses in Islamabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir and all provincial capitals.

During this period, at least 18 stage plays and skits would be produced. Moreover, eight one-week theatrical workshops would be organized for schoolchildren.

Students of the Drama Academy during their three years of studies will conceive and produce 15 performances to enlighten juvenile prisoners on socially responsible behaviour.

It may be noted here that the three-year-old Drama Academy is itself a joint venture of the PNCA and Norad.

The second project is the PNCA National Drama Festival 2004, in which the Norwegian contribution will amount to two million rupees.