Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Emerging performing arts talent in Zimbabwe has received a significant boost as the Chenhaka Trust, under the Connect for Culture Africa initiative, has launched an open call for its National Young Culture Actors Residency – Zimbabwe 2025.
This intensive seven-day programme, running from October 26 to November 1 in the culturally rich city of Bulawayo, aims to empower the next generation of theatre and dance practitioners as cultural leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
Designed as an immersive experience, the residency will nurture creative talent, foster collaboration, and drive innovation across Zimbabwe’s performing arts sector, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the nation’s vibrant cultural landscape.
The residency seeks 12 dynamic young Zimbabwean culture actors, aged 18 to 35, working specifically in theatre or dance. To ensure national representation, three participants will be selected from Bulawayo (the host province), and one from each of the remaining nine provinces. The cohort will include five male and seven female participants.
Selected participants will engage in a curated programme of workshops, masterclasses, and discussions led by industry experts and peers. Key skills to be developed include: Cultural entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property (IP) Management, Digital Marketing, and Financial Management for the arts sector.
Participants will also build networks with fellow artists, connect with experienced mentors, and engage with leading national cultural professionals.
The residency empowers participants to actively shape cultural policy by contributing to initiatives that aim to increase government and private investment in Zimbabwe’s Cultural and Creative Industries Sector (CCIS).
Through hands-on creative projects designed for public showcasing, participants will also generate social impact in their communities. This dual approach ensures both systemic support and grassroots activation of the arts.
Chenhaka Trust founder Taurai Moyo said the initiative represents all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe, aiming to nurture a new generation of artists who are ready to innovate and lead the nation’s creative industries. The application deadline is October 3, 2025. – Follow on X: @MbuleloMpofu
