Art gallery’s dual responsibility

to present works of art to their best advantage in a gallery environment, yet it also holds more than 6 000 pieces in its Permanent Collection of art in trust. Thus, we use both the term interchangeably and expose our staff to all the relevant roles and responsibilities found in both.
As a museum of contemporary art, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe aims to secure the memories we hold and the stories we tell are contemporary.
On the 18th of May the National Gallery of Zimbabwe will join museums worldwide in celebrating, recognising and uplifting the role of museums during the International Museum Day.
The theme for this year is Museum and Memory and it will focus in particular on Africa, a continent whose cultural contribution to the world is often unknown and deserves to be promoted.
Museums hold memories and tell stories.
They have in their collections numerous objects that are basic to the memory of the communities we live in. These objects are the expression of our natural and cultural heritage.
Many of them are fragile, some endangered and they need special care and conservation. International Museum Day 2011 will be an opportunity for visitors to discover and rediscover their individual and collective memory.
The National Gallery that will showcase under the sub-theme Your Museum History, recognises museums as an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people.
Various activities will be lined up at the Gallery, where members of staff will engage in a one-on- one discussion about their work experience and how their contribution to the institution has created memories over the years.
The Gallery houses and preserves works from the permanent collection, some of which would be discussed, in a formal presentation on the day. Activities will start at the Gallery from 0900hrs to 1630hrs and admission is free for all.
A memory book will be provided for visitors to write any memories of their experiences at the Gallery and school children will also be given the opportunity to sign up for the NGZ Association and Friends of the Gallery membership.
An exhibition of portrait pictures of current Gallery staff will be put up in the foyer. The Gallery will also launch its Culture Box in the North Gallery.
Various performances will be lined up for entertainment, including the musical group “The Rock Stars” who will perform urban grooves, mbira and marimba.
The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe will be hosting their celebrations in Gweru where schools from five regions will be part of the crowd that will converge to participate in different activities.
The schools include; Madyangove Primary School, Mt Nellarey, Cecil John Rhodes Primary School, Manondwane Primary School and S.O.S Hermann Gmeiner Primary School will participate in quiz competitions and the winning school will be awarded.
Also in action will be traditional dancers and drum majorettes.
The executive director Mrs. Doreen Sibanda of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe said, “The celebration of the International Museum Day falls with the National Culture Week.
“We believe that the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe should be congratulated for arranging a full week of focus on culture.
“The Museums are striving to extend their activities in order to lend support to the National Culture Week.”