We commence the year 2021 in the context of yet another COVID-19 induced lockdown. The NGB has however formulated its plans for 2021 and we share below the broad outlook.
A key area of focus in 2021 is visual artist capacity enhancement. The NGB seeks to progressively improve the levels of knowledge, skills and networks of our resident and none-resident artists. In this regard, we will roll out a series of training workshops facilitated by local and international resource persons. Digital technology has emerged as one of the priority areas of training. We are desirous to see more artists exploiting digital technologies to create and promote their work. We are keen to see more Bulawayo artists taking up residencies in regional and international galleries and their work being showcased globally and further included in galleries’ permanent collections.
Introduced in 2019 and suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Queen Loziba Lecture Series returns in 2021. The lecture series is a critical thinking and analysis platform that interrogates topical socio-cultural issues afflicting society. All things being equal, the 2021 edition will feature an international guest speaker.
Keen to identify, nurture and promote talent from diverse geographical locations, 2021 will witness an expansion of the NGB’s Outreach Programme. Expanding the programme is the first in a series of interventions to expand the base and range of talent that gets exhibited at the NGB.
An equally important aspect in the visual arts value chain is audience consumption of works of art. This manifests in viewership and purchase of works of art. The NGB will engage in various audience development initiatives in 2021 and beyond.
As part of what are now concluded renovations, the NGB in 2020 set up a dedicated co-working space for the creative community in Bulawayo. Now outstanding is the equipping of the co-working space with tables and chairs and access to the internet. We are in this regard scouting for partners to conclude this emancipatory project.
Singularly and collectively, these interventions contribute to the positioning of the NGB as a creative nucleus in South Western Zimbabwe. Aware that COVID-19 will linger for the rest of the year and even beyond, the NGB has integrated a hybrid approach in its curatorial and public programming This entails a mix of physical and online engagements. We invite you to partner and support us in this journey.