Calls for reopening of Mutare Art Gallery get louder

Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent
TOURISM stakeholders in Manicaland have expressed deep concern over the closure of Mutare Art Gallery, an institution that had served the community for nearly a quarter of a century.
The gallery, which was operated by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ), officially ceased operations on December 31, 2024, citing operational challenges.
The issue came out during an interface meeting held last week to launch preparations for the upcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
The meeting, attended by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, saw tourism stakeholders urging Government to reconsider the decision.
Mutare Art Gallery, alongside Mutare Museum, has been a cornerstone of the city’s tourism offerings, providing visitors with a glimpse into the province’s rich artistic talent and cultural heritage.
Its closure, stakeholders argue, threatens the province’s tourism growth trajectory.
Ms Christa Zeller, the proprietor of Ubuntu Backpackers, an accommodation facility in the city voiced the sector’s dismay during the meeting.
“We are deeply displeased by the closure of the gallery. As stakeholders in this sector, we strongly urge Government to reconsider its position,” she stated, emphasising the gallery’s role in generating interest among tourists visiting the city.
Responding to these concerns, Minister Mugadza acknowledged the significance of the gallery, and shared that efforts are already underway to engage the relevant authorities about the possibility of reopening it.
“As a province, we are equally worried about the closure of the gallery. We are doing everything within our power to engage with the parent ministry to explore avenues for the re-establishment of this important entity in our tourism sector,” he said.
Minister Rwodzi echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the global appeal of art galleries as niche attractions and stressing the importance of the Mutare Art Gallery, especially in the context of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo scheduled to take place in the city in September.
“Art galleries have always held a special place in tourism. Reopening Mutare Art Gallery will, not only boost tourism, but also align with preparations for the upcoming expo,” she remarked.
The closure has also dealt a heavy blow to the local arts community.
For decades, the gallery has served as a vital platform for artists to exhibit their work, hone their craft, and inspire the next generation.
It has also provided a positive outlet for young people, steering them away from social vices such as drug abuse.
To many artists, the gallery’s closure feels like the loss of a space where dreams were nurtured and futures shaped.
Stakeholders and artists alike hope that through the whole of Government approach, interventions will lead to the gallery’s reopening, allowing it to continue playing its dual role as a cultural hub and a key driver of tourism in the province.