Dzimbanhete Creative Village – Gallery and Art Space
PARTNER
Dzimbanhete Arts and Culture Interactions
LOCATION
Harare, Zimbabwe
COMMUNITY
(Emerging) artists from neighbouring communities as well as national and international artists and cultural professionals
PHASE
DURATION
since 2023
ARCHITECTURE
Further information on the architecture of the Creative Village and the doctoral research activities of our founder Kristina Ziadeh.
The Creative Village is a unique built environment for creative work and exhibitions that answers to the metaphors and spiritual essence of indigenous knowledge architecture while at the same time bringing about newness in the world of contemporary architecture.
Dzimbanhete Arts & Culture Interactions (DACI) is a creative hub just outside Harare, Zimbabwe, dedicated to preserving African heritage, empowering communities, and connecting tradition with innovation. Founded by artist-educator Chikonzero Chazunguza and culture bearer Samaita Jonathan Dube, for over two decades, DACI has served as a meeting space for artists, elders, youth, and researchers.
DACI’s mission is to safeguard and reimagine African cultural knowledge through art, education, and indigenous knowledge. They document oral histories, architecture, legends, and taboos while engaging communities through creative workshops, residencies, festivals, and youth training.
Zimbabwe’s contemporary art scene is rising on global stages such as the Venice Biennale, Bienal de São Paulo, and other well-known platforms, with DACI at the forefront through mentorship programs that have shaped 35% of the country’s internationally profiled artists. Many of these creatives have replicated DACI’s model by founding their own studios, proving the sustainability and multiplier effect of its approach.
Establishing a Creative Village with galleries and studio spaces will anchor this impact, providing infrastructure that stimulates cultural entrepreneurship, empowers communities, preserves heritage, and generates economic opportunities while firmly positioning Zimbabwe within international creative networks. (Chikonzero Chazunguza)
DACI lies in an all-natural environment 23km from the capital city Harare. The location is surrounded by farmland with slight slopes. The hills provide for moderate climbing, while the flat areas are accessible even for wheelchairs.
Together, we will construct the CREATIVE VILLAGE – a gallery and art space designed to serve artists from the entire region.