College of The Arts (COTA)

BIO

Founded in 1971 as a classical music conservatoire in Windhoek, the College of the Arts (COTA) has evolved into Namibia's leading multidisciplinary arts education institution. What began with a focus on orchestral classical music has expanded over the decades to offer a wide range of disciplines, including music, dance, drama, visual arts, fashion design, and radio and television production. Operating under the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, COTA provides two levels of arts education: general tuition for children and adults of all ages, and full-time professional diploma courses for those seeking advanced training .

COTA places a strong emphasis on practical experience and community engagement, ensuring its students are industry-ready upon graduation. Students are encouraged to showcase their work through class concerts, exhibitions, fashion shows, and performances, with third-year students evaluated by external moderators before completing an internship. The college offers tuition in a vast array of instruments, from Western classical to African instruments like marimba and mbira, and even runs outreach programs like the Namibian National Youth Choir. Its commitment to quality is reflected in its students' consistent success at national competitions like the NDTC Shining Light Awards .