BY  MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

Art House, a popular  art and culture programme is one of the defining and remarkable programmes from the rich bouquet of Channel Televisions. First anchored by award winning visual art enthusiast, culture activist and  embattled Director of National Gallery of Art, Joe Musa, the programme over the years has gained popularity and value addition for the huge customers of Channels television and more especially, for members of the art community, who are infected by the knack and valve with which its present presenter, Melinda Akinlami has  in repackaging and reporting the show.

Therefore, when Art on Sunday ran into her recently to share experiences  about how she  has been able to sustain and improve  on  the tempo reporting  Art House in the last seven years, the unruffled and ever smile no nonsense  mother of two told the story of her eventful journey herself. According to her:

“We are highly elated at feat we have achieved so far. When I  say we, you have to realise that the production of the program is a team work, beginning from the management of channels TV who conceptulised the program  and the  crew members which include; the Cameramen and Eng editor to those that take us to the art events.

Art House is  another win for the Channels and a challenge to do more work, and to be attentive to our bosses and colleagues because its obvious now than ever before that people are watching and wont accept anything less than the best.

Keeping the arthouse tradition alive has been a daunting and interesting task. It means being inventive and creative as a producer. Adopting that flow to the presentation of the programme. It also means opening your mind and heart to new ideas, knowing the things to add and the ones to drop. That will make viewers really enjoy the show because as we all know, the arts especially the visual art sector needs people to believe in its potentials to contribute to all and not just to the wall.

Melinda Akinlami

As a Presenter, I enjoy what I do. I always hope that love and passion will radiate to the viewers and as a producer, I try to keep the content rich. informing, educating and entertaining.

At the beginning, I  was so excited presenting the program and thankfully that  the Head of presentation was there to encourage me and keep me on track and I  adhered  to the station’s house style and believe me everyday I watch any edition on TV,  I say to myself  I  can do better.’

The challenges in the job  are numerous. There are hurdles  that you need to jump over on the road to achieving any goal and in a production of a programme it has its share…. I  can’t begin to mention them because, I guess they make us better at handling situations.

However, there are many logistics if put in place could really make things easier  Sometimes, the challenge is  just the adrenaline you need, you never know what you can achieve till you confront a challenge and from a worthy opponent. It is always  rewarding when one can look back and smile.

All the same, it’s been exciting especially when you can measure up and even surpass some of your male colleagues. But that doesn’t remove the fact that  you áre  a mother, wife, sister, friend and want to give your best as a career woman. But  I have to bounce everything without letting a single ball drop.

Added to the whole of these challenges is the one coming from the industry itself. I mean the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry in Nigeria is growing and spreading like wildfire and I  only wish it can drag its mother ‘the arts’ along. It is  still moving at snail’s speed, which means that every one  has to help it realise its potentials and contribute  in boosting the economy.

On how, we have come this far, I must say that it is attributable to our innovative strategy: Everyday, we  are  repackaging, re-branding and again, the station has expanded its reach beyond our shores. It is now possible that if you miss Arthouse on TV on 9.30pm on Saturday  or on the  repeat broadcast on  Monday.12.30pm you can still catch us online on our website as the station is 24hours on or off line.