Supporters and Partners of CIMAM 2026 in Zimbabwe

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 Highlerlife 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

Friends of CIMAM

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

A longstanding supporter of the Travel Grants Programme, 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.

About Mercedes Vilardell

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, The Showroom and Chisenhale Gallery 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, and a sponsor of the Bamako Encounters in Mali and the Lubumbashi Biennale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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.

Further announcements regarding programme highlights and additional partners will follow in the coming months.

Contact

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

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