Culture Fund supported artists come out tops at NAMA 2012

Some of the winners from this years 11th edition of the NAMA’s are current or previous grantees of the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, having been awarded financial and technical support by the organisation.

Ambassador-Cavalier; Oliver Mtukudzi speaking at the NAMA Nominees Cocktail

Culture Fund Supported Winners:

The African Tea Cosy by Violet Masilo (Zimbabwe Women Writers) – Outstanding First Creative Published Work

-The fund has worked with the Zimbabwe Women Writers in various aspects including the capacity building of the institution and workshop programmes.

Umkhathi Theatre Works – Outstanding Dance Group

-The Culture Fund has supported productions within the organization and went a step further to support the training component, which sees them, going into rural schools and training school children and teachers in the arts and culture classes.

Struggling with Culture and… Development,

Farai Mpfunya March 2011
(originally posted on Arterial Network blog, cultureanddevelopment.)

The 21st century must become the one for new imaginaries, dare I say, not in the politico-military sense as the neo-conservative; New World Order or New Deal. While I am not entirely clear of David Cameron’s Big Society ideas, they seem to be a generational attempt to imagine a different Britain though sections of that country seem to be rejecting them already.

The recent events sweeping the Maghreb and Arab culture suggest to me that imagining new ways of life is happening in many parts of the world albeit at different pace. As I read news that his Holiness the Dalai Lama is soon to devolve political power, I sense old ideas, even those still appealing to their followers, making space for new ones. In many places this will of course be resisted, for this kind of cultural movement is unpredictable.

Zimbabwean Arts Celebrate International Day of Tolerance today

The Culture Fund envisions a thriving Zimbabwe that is confident in its innovation and creativity that is nurtured through a culture of open dialogue and creation of knowledge accessible to all its citizens. The Culture Fund plays a leading role in gearing the country towards becoming a creative society benefiting from a creative economy. It supports the cultural sphere through results-based programming.

info@culturefund.co.zw
www.culturefund.org.zw

Culture Fund awards NAMA USD$ 10 600

The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust through its main supporting partner The Swedish International Development Agency(Sida) awarded the National Arts Merit Awards( NAMA) USD$ 10 600 for the execution of activities around the event this year.

The coverted trophy

The funding of the awards ceremony falls under the Culture Fund’s thematic area of Gender, Women and Youth Empowerement.The Culture Fund, since 2007 has been a strategic partner of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the organisation that manages and administers the Awards. The Culture Fund works with the Council in all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe.

The Culture Fund wishes luck to all the 2012 NAMA Nominees.The awards will take place on Saturday 18 February 2012 at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale in Harare.

Culture Fund “Out-of Gallery” Artists making strides in America and Europe

Victor Nyakaura, Wallen Mapondera and Admire Kamudzengerere have taken Zimbabwean fine art to the world through sculpture and painting. The three artists between 2011 and 2012 secured arts Residencies at some of the leading arts and cultural institutions in America and Europe.

Victor Nyakauru’s Artworks in the  Insect Garden

Victor Nyakauru and Wallen Mapondera were both accepted at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation at the Vermont Studio Centre in America, each with an 8 week Residency based on the quality of their works. The Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Fellowships at the Vermont Studio Centre (VSC) were established to support the development of international artists and to broaden their opportunities for intercultural dialogue in the United States.
The Studio hosts 50 artists and writers each month who participate in 4 to 12 week independent studio Residencies.

Live Vibe “the smoke that thunders”

Music Crossroads National Final Competition 2012

John Kotze 2011 Abstract: An exhibition of oil on canvas

The Culture Fund envisions a thriving Zimbabwe that is confident in its innovation and creativity that is nurtured through a culture of open dialogue and creation of knowledge accessible to all its citizens. The Culture Fund plays a leading role in gearing the country towards becoming a creative society benefiting from a creative economy. It supports the cultural sphere through results-based programming.

info@culturefund.co.zw
www.culturefund.org.zw

Another Zimbabwean Festival turns 10! Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival to take place KwaBulawayo 19 November 2011

Culture Fund Investing in the Empoweremt of Women and Youths through the International Images Film Festival

The International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) is the only annual women’s festival south of the Sahara and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. The festival takes place from November 18 to 25 in Harare. The festival will be held at various venues around the city including Eastgate, National Art Gallery the Zimbabwe German Society, Gallery Delta and the Mannenburg in Harare.