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Anesu Mawarire Entertainment Reporter
Nhimbe Trust, a Bulawayo-based arts consultancy, on Tuesday unveiled a funding model document for the local arts industry entitled “Funding Analysis – Modes of Engagements”.
The research document was done in partnership with Pamberi Trust and the British Council. The research is a response to the frequently held view that external financial support for the arts is more reactive and irregular than practical and planned.
It looks at some of the strategic and effective approaches to spending by local artistes either in music, visual and/or the literary arts.
Executive director of Nhimbe Trust Josh Nyapimbi said the research explored opportunities, threats and gaps in local arts funding.
“It is a critical document that took a long time to complete and involves a kind of research which enables consultation between artistes and funding organisations.
“The document also explores challenges faced in the arts sector which include the fact that long-serving artistes are facing difficulty in getting bank loans that may enable them to boost their artistry through travelling abroad for shows,” he said.
In the report, it has been noted that the conceptual basis therefore is that improved access to information across the creative sector can lead to a more cohesive and rewarding approach to working across the divides – especially in terms of closing the gaps between artistes, cultural workers and ultimately decision- makers.
The research findings also outline key trends and perspectives for use by stakeholders across the creative sector including artistes, cultural workers, non-profit cultural organisations, cultural and creative industries.
Director of National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Elvas Mari said he was pleased with the research findings done adding the document came at the perfect time when a new national culture is being formulated which they have been championing for the last 15 years.
“The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is happy the research findings are coming at a time Zimbabwe is formulating a new national culture policy that will allow for the professionalisation of the creative sector that should strive towards being policy driven and programme based rather than being project driven,” he said.
Nhimbe Trust is a non-profit arts advocacy organisation which for the past one-and-a-half years has been the convener of the Zimbabwe Creative Civil Society’s Strategy in the formulation of the National Plan of Action for Arts and Culture.
The Trust has been the premier advocate for Zimbabwe’s professional non-profit arts organisations, artistes and their partners to Government and key policymakers. Through legislative and grassroots action, Nhimbe advocates for national policies that recognise, enhance and foster the contribution the arts make to national development.
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