New ITP Conference Grant 2025 awarded!!

Written by Claire Messenger, Manager, International Training Programme

We are delighted to award an ITP Conference Grant 2025 to Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa, Curator of Contemporary Art/Deputy Director at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe, ITP 2017).

You can read more about the National Museum of Zimbabwe here https://nationalgallery.co.zw/.

Fadzai will use her grant to attend and speak at the Conference of the Canadian Association of African Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Canada from 3 to 6 June 2025. 

You can read more about the conference here https://conference.caas-acea.org/.

As the Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Fadzai’s role is to shape the institution’s engagement with contemporary art. This position involves overseeing exhibitions’ development, curation, and presentation showcasing local and international contemporary artists. She is responsible for maintaining the gallery’s artistic vision by selecting artworks that align with its mission to promote and preserve the region’s evolving artistic landscape. Her key duties include researching and acquiring contemporary works, organising exhibitions, and working closely with artists, galleries, and other cultural institutions.

Fadzai is also actively involved in educational programming, hosting talks, workshops, and collaborations to engage the public with contemporary art practices. Additionally, her role involves fostering dialogue around key social, political, and cultural themes, ensuring that the gallery’s exhibitions reflect the diverse narratives of Zimbabwe and Africa. Through this work, she supports the development of the contemporary art scene, has created a platform for emerging artists, and ensures the position the National Gallery as a critical space for exchanging artistic ideas and cultural discourse.

Fadzai has been asked to speak at the conference and her paper, titled Unmaking Colonialism: Art as Resistance in African Curatorial Practices, will explore the role of art as a form of resistance within African curatorial practices, emphasising how curators are working to dismantle legacies through the strategic selection, presentation, and interpretation of art and give voice to often untold liminal histories.

Fadzai says that attending the Canadian Association of African Studies conference will provide an invaluable opportunity to refine her ideas alongside peers and receive vital feedback. Given the pivotal moment in global politics, this conference offers a unique platform to engage in crucial discussions and contribute to shaping future discourse in African studies.

We are delighted to be able to support Fadzai this year and look forward to hearing more about her conference experience and sharing her final report with our ITP global network.