On Thursday 30 April, Nhimbe Trust in partnership with Pamberi Trust with support from the British Council and Africalia will launch the Funding Analysis - Modes of Engagement Research Report conducted and written by Melissa Eveleigh. The launch will be held at the Art Market @ HIFA on Thursday 30 April at 8.30am.

The Report explores opportunities, threats and gaps in local arts funding. This Research is a response to the commonly held view that external financial support for the arts is more reactive and sporadic, than proactive and strategic. A more strategic and effective approach to spending and programming is needed the Report suggests. The conceptual basis therefore is that improved access to information across the creative sector can lead to a more cohesive and rewarding approach to working across the divides – especially in terms of closing the gaps between artists, cultural workers and ultimate decision makers. The Report also outlines key trends and perspectives, for use by stakeholders across the creative sector including artists, cultural workers, non-profit cultural organisations, cultural and creative industries. The Report gives a comparative view of twenty four arts funding agencies supporting the local creative sector. 

"The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is happy that the research findings are coming at a time when Zimbabwe is formulating a new National Culture Policy that will allow for the professionalisation of the creative sector that we have been championing for the last fifteen years. Funding to the creative sector should thrive towards being policy-driven and programme-based rather than being project-driven." - Elvas Mari Director National Arts Council

The framework for the research was guided by existing literature and national processes. These include the Baseline Study on the Culture Sector in Zimbabwe conducted by the Culture Fund in 2009 which underscored the need for further research on funding and financing of the local creative sector. Further, the Report explores the Zimbabwe Creative Civil Society's Strategy in the Formulation of a Plan of Action for Arts and Culture (NPAAC), in the context of funding and financing of the local creative sector. 

The Report is available for download on: www.nhimbe.org

By NHIMBE TRUST