CIMAM's 58th Annual Conference to Be Held in Harare, Zimbabwe, Marking First African Edition
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is set to host the 58th CIMAM Annual Conference in Harare from November 20 to 22, 2026, making it the first time this event takes place in Africa. The focus of the conference is on "Museums Beyond Limits: Imagining Repair Across Cultures, Ecologies and Knowledges," highlighting the significance of repair in building connections and accountability. Elvira Dyangani Ose is heading the Content Steering Committee, which includes Raphael Chikukwa. The event will span three days, covering Good Museum Practice, Tools of Transformation, and Radical Hospitality, with keynote speakers like Gabi Ngcobo, David Teh, and Thembinkosi Goniwe. Topics will include repatriation and Indigenous museologies. You can register on the CIMAM website.
Key facts
- CIMAM's 58th Annual Conference will be held from 20–22 November 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
- This is the first time the conference takes place on the African continent.
- The conference is hosted by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
- Elvira Dyangani Ose chairs the 2026 Content Steering Committee.
- Raphael Chikukwa is Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and a CIMAM Board member.
- The theme is Museums Beyond Limits: Imagining Repair Across Cultures, Ecologies and Knowledges.
- Keynote speakers: Gabi Ngcobo (Day 1), David Teh (Day 2), Thembinkosi Goniwe (Day 3).
- Chronists: Meleko Mokgosi (Day 1), Esther Chipashu (Day 2), Memory Biwa (Day 3).
Entities
Artists
- Elvira Dyangani Ose
- Raphael Chikukwa
- Renée Akitelek Mboya
- Fadzai Muchemwa
- Paula Nascimento
- Smooth Nzewi
- Marie Hélène Pereira
- Suzana Sousa
- Sunjung Kim
- Stephanie Rosenthal
- Jochen Volz
- Gabi Ngcobo
- Meleko Mokgosi
- David Teh
- Neema Githere
- Inga Lāce
- Hamza Walker
- Esther Chipashu
- Thembinkosi Goniwe
- Mandivamba Rukuni
- Anawana Haloba
- Eva Lin
- Memory Biwa
Institutions
- CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art)
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe
- Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial
- Zeitz MOCAA
- Kunstinstituut Melly
- Yale University
- National University of Singapore
- National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe
- Bravebird Research
- Pungwe Listening
- Rhodes University
Locations
- Harare
- Zimbabwe
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Rotterdam
- Netherlands
- Singapore
- Grahamstown
- Turin
- Italy