Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE National Gallery of Zimbabwe has received a substantial grant of over US$500,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation enabling it to embark on a major refurbishment project in which it will enhance its infrastructure and security.
The grant has facilitated significant security upgrades, including roller shutters installed at the main gallery to protect valuable artworks and exhibitions.
Also the access control systems have been implemented in key areas, such as the library, main entrances, and over five key offices, ensuring only authorised personnel can access sensitive areas.
It has also put in telly doors at the two main entrances to further enhance security.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, NGZ executive director, Raphael Chikukwa, said the gallery plans to take its security and infrastructure to the next level with CCTV cameras and state-of-the-art storage containers.
He said the camera installation throughout the gallery, both inside and outside, will ensure comprehensive surveillance.
“So far the Mellon Foundation grant has covered these areas, roller shutters, the main gallery, access control to our library, our two main entrances, more than five key offices plus telly doors to our two main entrances.
“These areas enhance the gallery security at large.
“This means a lot to the gallery for today we are assured that areas that are meant to be accessed by only gallery staff are secured.
“In the second phase we are looking forward to installing CCTV cameras throughout the gallery, inside and outside the gallery.
“Furthermore, the Mellon Foundation grant will also enable us to extend our storage space by the purchase of state-of-the-art storage containers to allow us to do major repairs in the storage space.
“We are also going to install a fire suppression system. The grant answers the needs of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. It also answers our strategy, which is the restoration of our cultural institution,” he said.
Chikukwa said the grant has been a life-saving mechanism for the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, enabling it to stand at par with other international institutions. He said the grant aligns with the gallery’s strategy to restore its cultural institution.
“Artists and their art exhibitions need to be in state-of-the-art institutions.
The permanent collection that we keep for our great country Zimbabwe needs to be secured in a state-of-the-art institution.
“This is a major refurbishment of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and we continue to thank the Mellon Foundation for this huge grant and the last phase will see us decommissioning the old air handling system and installing a new air handling system,” he said.
