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CreativeACTIONs 2 (2023–2025) is a continuation of CreativeACTIONs 1 (2020–2021). A trajectory is set to support capacity development, talent and creative sector innovations. These are some of the set modalities of empowering the creative sector ecosystem and foster shock-rebuilding post COVID 19. CreativeACTIONs 2 aims to (1) To strengthen individual practitioners and creative civil society organisations’ capacities in inter alia, digital skills, production, marketing, networking and arts education; (2) To support innovative artistic and cultural creations from artists and cultural practitioners, creative civil society organizations and private operators in the cultural and creative industries; (3) To empower the Creative sector to participate in policy dialogue and advocacy in order to contribute to an enabling operating environment for the Cultural and Creative Industries strengthen capacities for creative civil society organizations and arts and culture practitioners in Zimbabwe. 

Key considerations will favour participation of women, youth and people living with disabilities.
 

Reflections of CreativeACTIONS 2020–2021

CreativeACTIONs 1 (2020-2021) sought to boost the momentum of creative movements, strengthen capacities for more sustainable creative ecosystems that can contribute to reaching Zimbabwe’s Sustainable Development Goals and targets. We promoted and showcased shared values of action partners. Creative movements supported to promote values such as respect for cultural diversity and gender equality, freedom of expression, access to information and Culture and fundamental human rights; contributed to social cohesion, helped reduce inequalities and  assist in improving viability of Zimbabwe's creative sector and its creative industries.  While substantial creative capacities exist in Zimbabwe - reflecting the transformative power of Culture and the Arts; their manifestations vary in strength and relevance within increasingly digitalized global cultures.  Creative sector innovations are powerful vectors for positive social values and behaviors. CreativeACTIONs 1 strengthened identified creative and innovative capacities within targeted groups; their diversity of expression, while boosting capacities to improve livelihoods, contributed to more cohesive communities. Here are some of those successes;

  • improved employability and economic opportunities. For example, it opened access to new and alternative markets for the creative sector in Harare such as the Maasrdorp, Sam Levy as well as international markets in Tanzania for graduates of the Forbes Mushipe mentorship project.

  • Craft projects (Chilelema in Binga & Hlengwe in Chiredzi) supported increased sales by more than 15% and enhanced income opportunities for 121 women creatives. This raised agency for women decision making within communities and incorporation of creative sector initiatives in local political economy landscape.

  • 20 murals painted under the Caligraph project, generated debates in public spaces and brought well-come colour to Mbare, Chitungwiza and Makokoba among others. 

  • Investments in 52 social infrastructures under projects like Mbare Art Space saw vital regeneration of a disused beer-garden and attraction of a creative community and precinct. Some of these spaces – like My Beautiful Homes – became beacons of wide community interactions; women led mural paintings of Ndebele rural homes restored heritage, energized identities and earned tangible assets for some 70 winners. Prizes such as chickens, water-storage tanks and farming implements gave women assets to better fend for families.

  • There were successes in improved institutional capacities - financial management, project cycle management, M&E as well as outcomes reporting. These processes improved professionalism and accountability capacities.

  • 40% of the 21 projects funded were female-led and 4 were dedicated almost exclusively to women focus and reach (Media Arts Zimbabwe, Kunzwana Women’s Association, Hear Ladies Speak &My Beautiful Homes). These women stamped a mark and have become agents of change, respected creatives and better skilled professionals – some in previously male-exclusive areas such as DJs and music production.

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Strengthening creativity and innovation

Expanding diversity of expression

Creating cohesive communities

Improving livelihoods

Second and Final Call Grant Offers

With support from the European Union, Culture Fund injects over USD214 000 through its CreativeACTIONs project to 13 bold, innovative and exciting Zimbabwe creative sector initiatives

Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust’s CreativeACTIONs project, with financial support from the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, announces 13 new grants for Zimbabwe creative sector projects. CreativeACTIONs will support bold, innovative, exciting and COVID-19 sensitive projects selected under a public and highly competitive call for proposals. There was an overwhelming response from all over Zimbabwe. This will be the second time CreativeACTIONs has awarded grants to Zimbabwean creatives since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CreativeACTIONs is helping boost the momentum of creative movements in Zimbabwe and strengthening capacities for more sustainable creative ecosystems.

 

LOT 1

Project Name                                                                                                                      Region

Art Lab - Fusing Art and Technology to Benefit Artists                                              Northern

My Beautiful Home                                                                                                            Southern

Building Careers and Enhancing the Resilience of Urban Performance Artists      Northern/Southern

Intwasa Digital Arts Festival                                                                                              Southern

Zimbabwean Music Online                                                                                                Northern/Southern

Re-thinking Arts and Pandemics (RAP)                                                                         Southern          

Bambelela Arts on Radio                                                                                                    Southern

People-Centric                                                                                                                    Northern

 

LOT 2

Project Name                                                                                                                       Region                     

Our Handcrafts on the Catwalk                                                                                       Northern

Through the Eyes of Zimbabwe                                                                                         Northern

Visual Arts Mentorship Programme                                                                                 Southern

Centre for Contemporary Art Bulawayo    - (OFFER CANCELLED)                    Southern

Women and Youths in the Arts Economic Empowerment Initiative                          Northern

                                                                                                         

CreativeACTIONs Community

Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust’s CreativeACTIONs, funded by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, launched a Call for Proposals on the 11th of March 2020 to strengthen capacities for creative civil society organizations and arts and culture practitioners in Zimbabwe, targeting to support new and innovative projects from Zimbabwean artists, cultural practitioners and institutions, creative civil society organizations, private operators involved in creative industries, arts associations and professional networks as well as arts education institutions. 

Second Call for Proposals Announcement

Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust’s CreativeACTIONs, supported by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, launched its 2nd Call for Proposals on the 25th January 2021 to strengthen capacities for Zimbabwean artists, cultural practitioners and institutions, creative civil society organizations, private operators involved in creative industries, arts associations and professional networks as well as arts education institutions.  CreativeACTIONs aims to facilitate and strengthen the growth of Zimbabwe creative sector and their capacities to promote equitable access, inclusive participation and benefitting from artistic and cultural expressions by all citizens. It seeks to help improve social cohesion, gender equality and livelihoods. Projects implemented in the digital environment but impacting a diverse and wide range of publics will receive special consideration.

ONLY project proposals containing activities that fully comply with the COVID-19 guidelines and demonstrate adaptability to different stages of the lockdown measures by the government of Zimbabwe will be considered. 

Project proposals may be submitted along the following guidelines;  

 

  • LOT 1: Minimum of USD6, 000 and a maximum amount of USD50, 000

         (The indicative allocation for grants under this category is USD100, 000)

  • LOT 2: Minimum of USD500 and a maximum amount of USD5, 000

         (The indicative allocation for grants under this category is USD50, 000)

 

The deadline for submission of proposals 11 March 2021 at 5pm.   CALL CLOSED

 

For further information, please contact:

https://www.culturefund.org.zw/   |   info@culturefund.co.zw

+263 242794617 / +263 242794211

(CALL CLOSED)

Culture Fund and EU Zimbabwe Extended USD118 000

Worth of Grants to Zimbabwe’s Creative Sector

The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust (Culture Fund) in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe continues to support the creative sector in Zimbabwe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. CreativeACTIONs will award grants to new and innovative projects from artists, cultural practitioners, institutions and private operators involved in creative industries. A total of 131 eligible and highly competitive proposals (104 under Lot 1-bigger grants) and (27 under Lot 2-smaller grants) were received. Culture Fund and EU Zimbabwe awarded an initial 9 grants worth a total of USD117, 416 out of an available USD300, 000. Another call for proposals will be announced at the end of the year. Grantees will soon commence implementation of their creative activities - sensitive to on-going COVID-19 measures.

First Call Grant Offers - LOT1
 

Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Music

The Sisterhood Music Training Project aims to train 63 young females artists in music recording and production, audio engineering, live performance and instruments, music management and DJ-ing, podcast production and audio production; creating a supportive community for women in music, providing the tools, knowledge, and support to further manage their music business and opportunities.

The project expects to strengthen their role in Zimbabwe’s creative sector.

GRANT: USD13,400.00

 

Upskilling performing artists for enhanced digital and online engagement

The project seeks to support capacity building of theatre artists to better engage with digital and online technologies. It will draw participants from Manicaland, Midlands, Matabeleland and Mashonaland West. This initiative has a special focus on digital skills. Implementation will be carried out through virtual and limited person to person master classes and mentorships.

GRANT: USD 16,540.00

Hanzvadzi Umnawami

The project aims to use murals as dialogue engaging spaces. It targets high traffic areas such as shopping malls and bus terminals within high density suburbs of Zimbabwe cities such as Harare, Bulawayo and Chitungwiza. It seeks to provoke conversations and interactions around pertinent social issues such as those affecting women and youth. Caligraphers will invite live conversations with the public during the mural paintings.

GRANT: USD 13,880.00

Avuxeni Craft Centre

The project aims to strengthen creative engagements with 75 artists within the Great Limpopo Heritage Centre ecosystem in Muhlanguleni, Chiredzi. It will offer skills training opportunities in areas such as product quality, marketing and exhibiting techniques to create viable craft businesses that seek sustainable natural resources exploitation. It further aims to improve the livelihoods of creative sector women and youths.

GRANT: USD 25,360.00

Enhancing creative, innovative and unique designs among Kunzwana artisans in Chilelema Village in Binga District

The project seeks to work with women based in Binga; in particular the Chilelema Village visual creative arts hub and ecosystem of traditional folk art. It will tailor product marketing for their intricate basketry weaving, financial literacy and links to micro-financing institutions, livelihood improvement skills training and co-creation platforms for creatively designed and assembled cultural products. The women will also receive training in World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) rules and compliance procedures.

USD 28,200.00

Simuka Futi/ I Am Funny Too

The project seeks to create opportunities for building a network of up-coming and established comedians from Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru. A workshop and master class are proposed to help strengthen the comedy craft and business skills of selected participants. Mentors will be engaged to coach the participants and help connect them to local and international festivals and events.

GRANT: USD7,705.00

TOTAL LOT 1 GRANTS USD: 105,085.00

First Call Grant Offers - LOT2

Hear Ladies Speak

Girls Aloud is a podcast based project that deals with all things women. Podcast episodes will be 30 minutes long and dwell on one specific arts and culture topic; segmented into the host’s topic of the day, the studio guest and a review of comments by the public collected before the episode airs via social media platforms. The podcast host is Nozibelo Maphosa, a blogger and social media follower.

GRANT: USD3,750.00

 

Convergence Zimbabwe

#ConvergenceZW project seeks to create a convergence between artists, venues and audiences. By using photography, blog posts and social media, it puts a spotlight of artistic brands and makes them known to a wider audience and preserves their profiles for reference by present and future generations.

GRANT: USD4,620.00

The promotion of culture through traditional dances in Chipinge district

The project partners Holland Mphongo Traditional Dance Group with primary school age children in Chikore, Chipinge. It will offer specialist training in Mphongo dance, drumming, and drums preparation for performance skills.

GRANT: USD 3,961.00

TOTAL LOT 2 GRANTS USD: 12,331.00

TOTAL FIRST CALL GRANTS: USD 117,416.00

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