National Gallery of Zimbabwe to Host Art Writing Workshop Aiming to Revive Local Criticism Scene

Zimbabwe’s art criticism scene is set to receive a major boost with the launch of a new writing workshop designed to sharpen the voices of emerging and mid-career art critics. Titled “Zimbabwe on My Mind,” the intensive three-day programme will take place at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare from September 10 to 12, 2025.

The workshop is a collaborative initiative between the ARAK Collection and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and will be facilitated by acclaimed South African art critic, curator, and educator Dr. Thembinkosi Goniwe. Known for his incisive engagement with art and politics across Southern Africa, Dr. Goniwe will lead participants through a dynamic blend of theory, practice, and cultural immersion.

Building on the success of a similar programme held in Lusaka earlier this year, the Harare edition will deepen the framework by placing art writing within broader social, political, and historical contexts.

“This Zimbabwe edition will expand on that approach by introducing art criticism as an embedded, reflective, and context-responsive practice,” said Dr. Goniwe. “We will be visiting artist studios and creative spaces in Harare, engaging directly with artworks and the people who make them.”

Participants will interact with exhibitions, cultural landmarks, and curated works from the ARAK Collection to inspire and shape their writing. Through hands-on writing exercises, group critiques, and guided field visits, the workshop will challenge attendees to develop their voices as critical thinkers and cultural storytellers.

“This is more than just a writing class,” added Goniwe. “It’s a space to think critically, write imaginatively, and connect with other voices who care about culture and context.”

The programme is designed to culminate in each participant producing a draft of a critical or narrative text — a piece that could contribute to the growing body of Zimbabwean art discourse.

In a call for applications, the organisers urged aspiring art writers to submit a 500-word writing sample (published or unpublished), along with a motivation letter and a brief CV or biography. Only applicants who can commit to the full duration of the workshop will be considered. The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2025.

“This initiative comes at a crucial time in Zimbabwe’s arts sector,” the organisers said. “More locally grounded, analytical, and imaginative voices are needed to interpret, document, and interrogate the country’s cultural production.”

As Zimbabwe’s contemporary art scene continues to gain international recognition, initiatives like Zimbabwe on My Mind aim to cultivate a new generation of art critics equipped to reflect, critique, and celebrate the nation’s evolving creative identity.