Breaking News: CIMAM Elects Chikukwa to Board for 2026–28 at 57th Annual Conference in Turin

by artweb

Zimbabwe stands proud in Turin (image: supplied)

At the 57th CIMAM Annual Conference in Turin, an important milestone was reached for Zimbabwe and the wider African museum community. Raphael Chikukwa, the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, has been elected to the CIMAM Board for the 2026–28 term - positioning him at the forefront of global museum leadership and strengthening Zimbabwe’s voice within one of the most influential international cultural networks.

Chikukwa’s election marks a significant moment not only for Zimbabwean arts but for the entire Global South, as it signals growing recognition of African institutional leadership within a field often dominated by Euro-American perspectives. His decades-long contribution to shaping contemporary art discourse in Zimbabwe - through exhibitions, collections, education, and the elevation of Zimbabwean artists on the world stage - has now been acknowledged at the highest level of museum governance.

CiMAM board 2026- 28 (image: supplied)

He joins a new board led by Amanda de la Garza Mata, Artistic Deputy Director of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (MNCARS) in Madrid, who has been elected President of CIMAM. The new board brings together museum leaders from across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, but Chikukwa’s presence carries particular weight for African representation, cultural sovereignty, and the advancement of regional perspectives in global museum policy.

CIMAM expressed gratitude to its members for their trust during this election cycle, marking the beginning of a new and more inclusive era. For Zimbabwe, Chikukwa’s appointment is a source of national pride and a reminder of the country’s ongoing contribution to shaping global art narratives.

CiMAM annual conference 2026 is going to take place in Harare, Zimbabwe ( image: supplied)

The CIMAM conference will be held in Harare in 2026. Follow ArtWeb Africa for continued updates on Zimbabwean cultural leadership and global art developments.