Supporters and Partners of CIMAM 2026 in Zimbabwe

CIMAM2025-Day03-Lavazza-ph-Perottino-056 — CIMAM 2025 Annual Conference in Turin

A collective effort to bring the global modern and contemporary art museum community to Zimbabwe

The CIMAM Annual Conference 2026, hosted by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, in Harare (Zimbabwe) from November 20-22, marks a historic moment: the first time CIMAM's global network of directors and curators of modern and contemporary art museums gathers on the African Continent.

This gathering will bring together museum leaders, curators, and cultural thinkers from around the world to engage with the pressing questions shaping the future of modern and contemporary art museums today.

The realization of this conference is made possible through the support of institutions, foundations, and partners who believe in the power of culture to foster dialogue, collaboration, and long-term impact. Their contributions help make possible:

Access and participation, enabling museum professionals from across the African continent and beyond to meet, exchange perspectives, and reflect on institutional models from the African context.
Knowledge exchange, creating a platform where African and international institutions can contribute to global conversations on modern and contemporary art museum practice.
Sustainable cultural development, strengthening networks, and building institutional capacity across the region.
International visibility, positioning Zimbabwe and the African museum sector at the centre of global cultural dialogue.

Each partner joining this initiative becomes part of a collective effort to shape the future of museums and cultural leadership on a global scale.

Lead Sponsor

We are delighted to announce that Higherlife Foundation is supporting the CIMAM Annual Conference in Harare as Lead Sponsor.

At Higherlife Foundation, our work is rooted in a deep belief in the potential of Africa’s people.

We are committed to thoughtfully designing and implementing programs that contribute to improved outcomes across education, health, sustainable livelihoods, and crisis preparedness—responding to the continent’s most pressing challenges with care, partnership, and long-term impact.

We partner with communities, governments, philanthropists, and grassroots organisations to create lasting change - because when people are empowered with knowledge, skills, and opportunities, they become the driving force of Africa’s transformation.

Zimbabwe’s story is rich, creative, and enduring, yet much of its heritage faces the risk of being forgotten.

Through the Legacy Pillar and led by Ms. Joanna Masiyiwa, Higherlife Foundation works to protect, modernise, and celebrate the nation’s cultural heritage, ensuring that museums, galleries, and heritage sites remain vibrant spaces of learning, pride, and inspiration.

“I’ve come to believe that culture is not ornament. It is structure. It is the ground a national identity stands on — and the quiet engine that innovation and opportunity draw from long before anyone thinks to name them. We tend to treat the arts as the reward a country grants itself once the serious work is done. I’ve come to see it the other way around. The culture is the serious work — and watching it move on a world stage is exhilarating.

This is the conviction behind the Foundation’s Legacy Pillar, and the reason I led the renovation of the Zimbabwe National Gallery through it. Zimbabwe has never had a talent problem — the gift was always there. What we’re building now is the scaffolding that lets it be seen, and the institutions are strong enough to carry it forward.

And we’re only gathering speed. As Zimbabwe moves toward hosting CIMAM 2026 Annual Conference. I keep returning to one joyful idea. Preserving heritage was never about guarding the past. It’s about deciding who gets to author the future, and on whose terms. For too long, our story was told for us. Now we get to tell it ourselves — and what a story it is.”

Ms. Joanna Masiyiwa, Legacy Pillar at the Higherlife Foundation

CIMAM 2026 Conference Visionary, Benefactor and Travel Grant Funder

We are delighted to announce that Mercedes Vilardell is supporting the CIMAM Annual Conference in Harare as a Generous Supporter of CIMAM.

A longstanding supporter of the Travel Grants Program, particularly in supporting professionals based in Africa, her continued commitment this year will also help make possible the organisation of the conference on the continent for the first time.

Mercedes Vilardell is a member of Tate Modern’s International Council, as well as a member of the African Acquisitions Committee at Tate Modern (previously serving as Chair of Tate’s African Acquisitions Committee for 12 years). She is also a member of the African Acquisitions Committee at the Centre Pompidou.

She is a member of the Executive Commission and a member of CIM at the Reina Sofía Foundation, and member of the Global Council at MOCA, Los Angeles. She is a Trustee of Gasworks, London, a supporter of the French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

In addition to supporting Gasworks through an artist residency, she also supports the Delfina Foundation, and The Showroom in London, and sponsors one student per year from the African continent at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam.

Mercedes is a Board member of the NESR Foundation in Luanda (Angola), a member of the NGO Earshot, founded by Lawrence Abu Hamdan, a member of the Board of Museu Tàpies in Barcelona, and a sponsor of the Bamako Encounters in Mali and the Lubumbashi Biennale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Generous Support

Luckybean Foundation is thrilled to be supporting CIMAM in bringing a world of talent to the African continent.

"Zimbabwe’s significance in contemporary art and history, make this beautiful country a perfect place to convene. Wishing you all a rewarding and enjoyable conference."

International Support

The Terra Foundation for American Art supports the participation of conference speaker Hamza Walker and conference chronist Meleko Mokgosi at the CIMAM 2026 Annual Conference.

The Terra Foundation for American Art expands narratives of American art through our grants, collection, and initiatives. With offices in Chicago and Paris and a collection of more than 750 works of art, we work with organizations to foster intercultural dialogues and encourage transformative practices, locally and globally. Since 2005, the foundation has awarded grants worldwide to support projects that engage the visual arts of the United States and Indigenous arts of North America, while questioning and broadening understandings of American art and reshaping how its stories are told.

Hosting Sponsor

The Bouckaert Family Trust rust supports initiatives across conservation, education and the arts, with a particular commitment to Zimbabwe. The Bouckaert Family Trust supports the development of the country’s growing art sector and initiatives that bring together cultural professionals, institutions, and public authorities to strengthen Zimbabwe’s artistic ecosystem.

Since 2019, the Italian Embassy in Zimbabwe and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe have collaborated on a conservation and restoration project dedicated to the Gallery’s collection of European paintings, including works by Italian and French masters dating back to the XVII Century. European Renaissance masterworks on African soil is indeed a rare encounter – an exceptional meeting of artistic heritage and place, a perfect framework for cultural diplomacy. Through this partnership, Italian conservators Emiliano Antonelli and Benedetta Proto have restored six paintings during missions in 2019 and 2023, while also conducting workshops to support professional training and knowledge exchange with Zimbabwean restorers. Beyond the restoration and the act of preservation, making these works available to the public is not only a responsibility but also an indispensable link in the value chain of cultural heritage, and to this end, the Italian Embassy and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe have agreed on the allocation of a permanent exhibition room in the National Gallery in Harare, where these Renaissance paintings, together with Zimbabwean works of art, can be appreciated by the public. The Italian Embassy, together with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, is working tirelessly to coincide the unveiling of this exhibition room during another unprecedented, historic event – as CIMAM 2026 convenes in Zimbabwe – making it the first time the prestigious global gathering will be held in Africa. On the occasion of this momentous event, in collaboration with the National Gallery, we have the pleasure of hosting a cocktail reception on the evening of the 21st November for the visiting CIMAM delegations.

Delta Corporation is a leading beverages business in Zimbabwe. Through its principal subsidiary, Delta Beverages, the Group brews lager and traditional beer and manufactures sparkling soft drinks under licence from The Coca-Cola Company and Maheu. Through Schweppes Holdings Africa, the Group produces Coca-Cola-franchised cordials and juice drinks, as well as branded water. The Company also holds interests in African Distillers (Afdis), which produces its own branded wines, spirits and ciders, in addition to products manufactured and/or bottled under licence from Heineken Beverages and Diageo. Delta also operates one of the country’s largest distribution networks, supported by a nationwide footprint of depots and delivery fleets. The Group’s other operations include United National Breweries (South Africa) and Natbrew Plc Zambia, which is listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE). Both are leading producers of traditional beer in their respective countries. The Group’s portfolio includes leading local and regional beer brands such as Castle, Carling Black Label, Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Golden Pilsener, Zambezi, Bohlingers, Castle Lite, and Eagle, as well as the distribution of global brands from the AB InBev stable such as Corona, Stella Artois, Flying Fish and Brutal Fruit. The main Coca Cola franchised beverages include Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Sparletta, Schweppes, Mazoe Orange Crush and Minute Maid, Monster and Powerplay. Delta Beverages is the country’s leading brewer and employs over 5,000 people. Delta Corporation is an associate of AB InBev, the world’s largest beer company.

Kefalos is one of Zimbabwe's largest dairy and FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) manufacturers, originally inspired by the Greek island of Kefalonia. They provide Zimbabwe and the Southern African region with a diverse range of high quality cheeses, yoghurts, ice creams and many other dairy products. We attribute our success to a passion for flavour, natural ingredients and innovative ways to accommodate the adventurous taste buds of our customers. All our products are based on home-made recipes, guaranteeing a consistent, top-quality and extraordinary taste experience that supports a healthy lifestyle. Kefalos is one of the brands participating in the Made-in-Zimbabwe Brunch which is a culinary experience curated by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s fundraising partner, SJ Good & Company and running alongside Day 2 of the CIMAM conference. It invites delegates to discover Zimbabwe through the brands, products and producers that form part of everyday life across the country.

“This is not a traditional culinary experience. Rather, it is a celebration of Zimbabwe's manufacturing, agricultural and food processing sectors through a familiar international format. The croissant may be French, the muesli may be Swiss in origin, and the continental breakfast may be global — but the products, ingredients and brands behind the Made-In-Zimbabwe brunch are proudly Zimbabwean.” - Shingai Rhuhwaya, SJ Good & Company.

“The Made in Zimbabwe Brunch therefore becomes more than a meal. It becomes a story about African production, value addition, entrepreneurship and export potential — told through brands, shared around a table, and experienced through taste” - Raphael Chikukwa, Executive Director of The National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Venue Partner

We are proud to announce that Harare International School (HIS) has signed on as an official Venue Partner for CIMAM 2026. CIMAM brings together more than 250 museum directors, curators, researchers, and cultural leaders from over 50 countries to engage in dialogue that shapes the future of modern and contemporary art institutions worldwide. Hosting this conference in Harare signals Zimbabwe’s growing importance within global cultural discourse.

Situated on a beautiful 22-acre campus, Harare International School will offer conference delegates access to its state-of-the-art, award-winning Performing Arts Center. The state-of-the-art 500-seat theatre designed by Architect Mick Pierce will provide an exceptional setting for dialogue, presentations, and artistic exchange. The campus environment reflects both academic excellence and a deep respect for Zimbabwe’s natural landscape.

Dr. Gregory J. Moncada, Director of Harare International School, expressed his enthusiasm: Harare International School is truly honoured to serve as a Venue Partner for CIMAM 2026. Hosting an event of such global relevance here in Zimbabwe reflects the growing recognition of the country’s cultural voice and creative excellence. At HIS, we believe the arts are central to education, critical thinking, and global understanding. Supporting CIMAM is a natural extension of our longstanding commitment to nurturing artistic expression and providing our students with meaningful exposure to international thought leadership.

He continued: We take pride in hosting events that extend community involvement and foster a sense of awareness and belonging beyond our campus. Welcoming CIMAM to our 22-acre campus — including our award-winning Performing Arts Centre — allows us to contribute meaningfully to a dialogue that connects Zimbabwe to the world. At the same time, we remain deeply committed to preserving the green spaces and the African character of our campus, ensuring that growth and development are balanced with sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The partnership reflects shared values between CIMAM 2026 and Harare International School: global engagement, cultural leadership, sustainability, and the creation of spaces where creativity and education intersect.

Official ICT Partner

At a time when digital transformation, data security, and immersive technologies are reshaping how museums operate globally, we are thrilled to announce Dandemutande as the exclusive ICT Partner for CIMAM. Their participation will enable the digital visual documentation of the CIMAM conference and the digital connectivity of Mbare Art School during the event and beyond.

Dandemutande is a full-stack ICT solutions provider, stablished in 1997, which empowers organisations across Southern Africa through resilient, secure, and future-ready digital innovation. As a holder of a Unified Telecommunications Services provider Licence with robust network infrastructure, Dandemutande delivers smart, resilient connectivity through fibre, wireless, satellite, and intelligent networking solutions that keep businesses always connected.

Through proactive protection and effortless compliance, we safeguard users, systems, and data with Cybersecurity Solutions that reduce risk and strengthen confidence. Their trusted, scalable Cloud and Data Governance solutions enable secure hosting, backup, disaster recovery, productivity platforms, and compliant information management. Their AI, Automation & Emerging Solutions help organisations modernise operations and unlock new opportunities.

With operations in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, and recently Lesotho, they combine regional reach, skilled experts, and dependable support to deliver tailor-made solutions that help enterprises, governments, SMEs, and institutions operate smarter, move faster, stay protected, and grow confidently in a digital world.

Supporters

We are honoured to welcome CABS and Old Mutual as supporters of CIMAM. Their participation builds naturally on their ongoing support for the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe through substantial sponsorships, financial literacy training for artists, and key partnerships with major national festivals and awards.

CABS is a leading retail financial institution in Zimbabwe and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Old Mutual Group. CABS has an established and strong brand name in the financial retail market in Zimbabwe. The Society offers a diverse range of financial products and services that includes transaction and savings accounts, mobile banking, mortgage loans, money market investments, term deposits and pay-roll loans.

“Through this partnership, CABS and Old Mutual have affirmed their leadership in championing the creative economy as a driver of development, sustainability, and social impact — values that lie at the heart of CIMAM”. Ralf Chikukwa, Executive Director of The National Gallery of Zimbabwe

We also welcome Kefalos as a Made-in-Zimbabwe Brunch Supporter. Kefalos is one of Zimbabwe's largest dairy and FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) manufacturers, originally inspired by the Greek island of Kefalonia. They provide Zimbabwe and the Southern African region with a diverse range of high quality cheeses, yoghurts, ice creams and many other dairy products. We attribute our success to a passion for flavour, natural ingredients and innovative ways to accommodate the adventurous taste buds of our customers. All our products are based on home-made recipes, guaranteeing a consistent, top-quality and extraordinary taste experience that supports a healthy lifestyle.

Kefalos is one of the brands participating in the Made-in-Zimbabwe Brunch which is a culinary experience curated by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s fundraising partner, SJ Good & Company and running alongside Day 2 of the CIMAM conference. It invites delegates to discover Zimbabwe through the brands, products and producers that form part of everyday life across the country.

“The Made in Zimbabwe Brunch therefore becomes more than a meal. It becomes a story about African production, value addition, entrepreneurship and export potential — told through brands, shared around a table, and experienced through taste” - Ralf Chikukwa, Executive Director of The National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Official Media Partner

Zimpapers, ZIMBABWE Newspapers (1980) Ltd, is the oldest newspaper publisher and commercial printing company in Zimbabwe. It is also the largest publisher of newspapers in the country, having been in the industry since 1891. Zimpapers publishes 13 newspaper titles and also runs a Broadcasting Division.

ART AFRICA has actively contributed to contemporary Global South art discourse as a catalyst for dialogue and exchange, fostering connections between curators, artists, collectors, academics, and enthusiasts worldwide. Its commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of the CIMAM Annual Conference 2026 Museums Beyond Limits multifaceted nature of art from the Global South has solidified its place as a vital resource within the global art community.

International Cultural Exchange Partners

CIMAM gratefully acknowledges the support of the British Council Zimbabwe; British Council Kenya; Phileas – The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport; and the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa in enabling the participation of ten museum professionals from their respective countries and regions in the CIMAM 2026 Annual Conference in Harare.

Through their support for travel, accommodation, and conference registration, these organizations foster international cultural exchange and strengthen connections across the global museum community.

Contact

CIMAM 2026 Fundraising Desk
cimam@sjgoodandcompany.com
www.nationalgallery.co.zw

CIMAM Executive Office
inesjover@cimam.org
www.cimam.org