adminAshley Mujoma
The European Union and the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust have awarded grants totalling US$748 588 to 42 Zimbabwean artists as part of the first round of the Creative Actions II Project. The grants aim to entertain and raise awareness, promote tolerance, create jobs and preserve Zimbabwean art and culture.
The projects cover film-making, music, theatre, crafts, fashion, sculpting, comedy and dance, with festivals, fairs, exhibitions and awards ceremonies to be held in all the country’s 10 provinces.
They will also promote the use of digital technologies, intellectual property rights, accessing new markets and professionalising creative work.
EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, expressed his excitement about awarding the grants.
“As the European Union, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering Zimbabwean creativity. The projects will not only entertain, but create jobs, raise awareness, promote tolerance and preserve Zimbabwean art and culture,” said Von Kirchmann.
Executive director of the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, Farai Mpfunya, said:
“We are delighted to share that the project received a remarkable response during the first grant cycle, with 248 highly competitive proposals submitted.”
Some of the activities to be implemented include the creation of a diverse range of artistic and cultural expressions by artists in Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo, Bindura, Chinhoyi and other areas.
Projects will also empower creatives, especially women and youth from Hwange, Binga, Tsholotsho, Lupane, Masvingo, Murehwa, Harare, and Bulawayo, among others, on digital technologies, intellectual property rights, accessing new markets and professionalising their work.
Preservation and promotion of minority cultures of communities such as the San and Ndau as well as promoting accessibility to arts and cultural creations by people with disabilities will also be the focus of some of the awarded projects.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter