BREAKING NEWS: CIMAM 2026 Annual Conference Heads to Harare, Zimbabwe.

by artweb

From left (down line): Agustín Pérez Rubio, Independent Curator; Mercedes Vilardell, Chair of Tate’s African Acquisitions Committee; Raphael Chikukwa, Executive Director, National Gallery of Zimbabwe; Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, President, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo; Suhanya Raffel; Kamini Sawhney, Head, Public Arts Projects, BlrHubba, Museum Management Expert, Independent Curator, Bangalore. (Upline): Yu Jin Seng, Director (Curatorial, Research & Exhibitions), National Gallery Singapore; Bart De Baere, Director, M HKA, Antwerp; Joselina Cruz, Director/Curator, MCAD Manila; Amanda de la Garza Mata, Artistic Deputy Director, Museo Reina Sofía (MNCARS); Małgorzata Ludwisiak Ph.D., Museum Management Expert, Warsaw (Image: CIMAM website and National Gallery of Zimbabwe IG)

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November 2026 will mark a historic moment in the global art world as CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art) hosts its Annual Conference on African soil for the very first time at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. This unprecedented decision, announced on June 24 at an event hosted by Han Nefkens in Barcelona, reflects a growing recognition of Africa’s significant contributions to contemporary art and Zimbabwe’s rising status as a trusted venue for high-level global engagements.

“For the first time, our association will be in Africa to hear from our colleagues there about the vital work being done by institutions on this continent,” said Suhanya Raffel, Director of Museum M+ in Hong Kong and President of CIMAM. “We are thrilled to be working with Raphael Chikukwa and his team on this landmark gathering.”

Zimbabwe’s selection as host city is not accidental - it builds on a robust track record of hosting influential international gatherings across diplomacy, business, and culture. From major summits like International Conference on African Cultures (ICAC) to cultural milestones such as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) or the International Images Film Festival for Women, Zimbabwe has proven itself a capable, welcoming, and strategically positioned hub for global dialogue. As noted in our August 2024 article titled From Diplomacy to Culture: Zimbabwe's Role as an Event Powerhouse, the country’s ability to convene critical voices from across the world speaks to its deepening soft power and growing relevance on the international stage.

“It’s time to bring the world to Zimbabwe,” said Raphael Chikukwa, Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. “This is a great opportunity for African museum professionals to engage with CIMAM and for global attendees to experience Africa’s contemporary art scene at firsthand in Zimbabwe.”

Since its inception in 1962 in The Hague, the CIMAM Annual Conference has been the leading meeting point for directors and curators of modern and contemporary art museums, alongside independent professionals. Held in more than 30 cities worldwide, the conference fosters dialogue, innovation, and cross-border collaboration in the museum and cultural sectors. The 2026 edition in Harare will offer participants access to keynote presentations, round tables, site visits, and opportunities to witness the vibrancy and depth of Zimbabwe’s contemporary art ecosystem, while positioning the country as a beacon of cultural diplomacy on the African continent.