TWENTY innovative arts and culture projects from across the country are set to benefit from a US$280 000 grant released by Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust in partnership with the European Union (EU).
In a statement on Monday, Culture Fund and the EU said the grants will empower creatives from diverse regions of Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe’s creative sector is key to bringing people together and driving economic growth. With CreativeACTIONs 2, we are excited to see how artists and cultural practitioners are making a difference,” said EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann.
“These projects not only celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich cultural diversity, but also empower individuals and communities to thrive in the global creative economy.”
Among the latest recipients are projects dedicated to promoting Sign Language as an official language through innovative content creation, empowering women to enhance their livelihoods through beadwork and supporting persons with disabilities in advocacy, music training and recording.
Zimbabwe Deaf Media has already produced African folktales in Sign Language, enriching the learning experience for hearing-impaired students.
The funding is strategically directed towards organisations, institutions, events and festivals that expand opportunities within the arts and culture sector.
“Since the inception of CreativeACTIONs 2 in 2023, a total of 74 projects have been supported, with an investment of US$1 140 270,” the Culture Fund and the EU statement read.
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“The impact of these supported projects is already being felt across Zimbabwe. The Binga Craft Centre, for example, conducted skills training in quality control for craft products, successfully opening new export markets in Spain and Australia.”
Chipawo, an organisation dedicated to children’s arts and education, trained young people from three provinces in video recording and presenting skills, resulting in 13 episodes broadcast on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television.
Culture Fund and the EU said the Zimbabwe Fashion Week, through a partnership with Chinhoyi University of Technology, became a member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, mentoring 10 fashion design graduates through the Creative Accelerator Programme.
“CreativeACTIONs 2 is also supporting education projects like the Centre for Talent Development, Rawstone Galleries, and TIME Entertainment Promotions.
“These organisations have trained 37 schools across Binga, Lupane, Hwange, Bulawayo and Gwanda in performance-based literature, stone carving, drama, playwriting, poetry, visual arts and music.”
Culture Fund and the EU added that CreativeACTIONs 2 facilitated international cultural exchanges of Zimbabwean creators and EU member States such as Portugal, Germany and Greece.
“Artists supported through mobility grants have participated in festival management training and showcased Zimbabwean fashion and fabrics to the diaspora market, bolstering Zimbabwe’s representation on the global stage,” they said.
“This ongoing support enriches youth empowerment, addresses gender disparities, prioritises the inclusion of people with disabilities and facilitates the mobility of artists and cultural goods to access new markets and broader audiences.”
