Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ZIMBABWE is preparing to host the 58th International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art conference next year, a landmark event that will bring together more than 300 global museum directors and curators in Harare.
The country secured the bid to host the prestigious gathering during last year’s CIMAM conference in Barcelona, Spain, where NGZ executive director Raphael Chikukwa represented Zimbabwe alongside international cultural leaders.
Notable attendees at that meeting included CIMAM president Suhanya Raffel, Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo of the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, and Elvira Dyangani Ose.
For Chikukwa, hosting CIMAM is both an honour and a responsibility.
To meet international standards, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) is undergoing a major facelift that will see the facility transformed into a world-class hub ahead of the conference.
“The renovations have been underway for the past few weeks in preparation for the 58th CIMAM conference, which will bring together over 300 global museum directors and curators to Zimbabwe,” he noted.
“At the pace we are moving, I am confident everything will be ready for the conference.”
Chikukwa revealed that 80 percent of the work has been completed by the contractors, who are doing an excellent job. A visit to the facility indicated that Chikukwa and his team are serious about giving the venue a new facelift.
“As you can see, 80 percent of the work has been completed, and we hope to finish in the next couple of weeks. We are now left with the kitchen floor and part of the perimeter fence. It is my hope that we will be done very soon,” he emphasised.
He assured art collectors and visual arts enthusiasts that the gallery will remain open.
“Art collectors can still come and view some of the collections we have at the gallery. We won’t close for business because we want to ensure that operations continue as usual. We are also glad and impressed by the work being done by our partners who have come on board to give the gallery a new look,” he said.
“Renovations at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe are ongoing, encompassing everything from a new water fountain to making the gallery more environmentally friendly, with new toilets, updated lighting, and a solar-powered borehole,” Chikukwa stated.
“The move to rejuvenate the gallery has been long overdue, especially considering the facility’s need for such a significant upgrade.”
“Soon, the gallery will embrace sustainable practices, being powered by solar energy 24/7, and CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the premises.”
Chikukwa praised the partners who pledged to assist other galleries in anticipation of the CIMAM conference scheduled for next year at the NGZ.
A tour of the facility yesterday revealed workers diligently engaged in their tasks.
“They are also set to refurbish another gallery in Bulawayo and one in Victoria Falls, which was donated by the mayor of Victoria Falls. We are transforming an old building into a beautiful gallery, and we are grateful for everything they have done for us.”
Chikukwa was optimistic that Zimbabwe’s galleries would be ready ahead of the CIMAM conference next year.
