Story by Patience Nyagato
ZIMBABWE is set to make history as the first African country to host the prestigious International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM), with over 350 delegates expected in Harare this November.
The Zimbabwe Pavilion at the Venice Biennale became more than an exhibition space, transforming into a meeting point for global arts leaders as the country reaffirmed its readiness to host the 58th CIMAM Annual Conference from November 20 to 22.
Held under the theme “Museums Beyond Limits: Imagining Repair Across Cultures, Ecologies and Knowledges,” the conference is expected to bring together more than 350 museum directors, curators and cultural practitioners from around the world.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Mr Nicholas Moyo said hosting the 58th edition of CIMAM marks a significant milestone for both Zimbabwe and the African continent.
“Zimbabwe does not regularly host international conferences, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe has taken the lead in bringing the world to our doorstep. This is the 58th edition of CIMAM and it is a great achievement because it is coming to Africa for the first time. Let us use this opportunity to showcase who we are, our cuisine, our hospitality and our culture.”
Mr Moyo said the conference would provide local visual artists with increased international exposure through direct interaction with global curators and industry players.
“What CIMAM will do is expose many of our visual artists to the world. We are creating programmes where visiting curators will interact directly with artists in their studios. After that, we should begin to see the visual arts economy in Harare transforming,” he said.
The conference is expected to redefine Zimbabwe’s visual arts economy by exposing local artists to international networks and opportunities that create direct interaction between visiting curators and artists in studios, galleries and community art spaces across Harare.
“For the first time, it is happening on the African continent and in this case in Zimbabwe. It is a very important opportunity to build bridges with professionals in Africa and also to highlight new artistic scenes and new ways of producing culture emerging from the continent,” CIMAM President, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, said.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe Board Chairperson, Justice (Rtd) Maphios Cheda says the global gatherings are also expected to inspire young creatives and position art as a viable career path.
“CIMAM coming to Zimbabwe is going to motivate our artists, both established and upcoming ones. Art is not just artwork; art is a profession. This is going to give young people exposure and opportunities to connect with the world,” he said.
The hosting bid has also received strong backing from international partners and cultural patrons supporting the growth of Zimbabwe’s creative industries.
