Art, community, and renewal in Harare

Image © Mbare Arts Space

In the heart of Harare’s bustling Mbare township, a historic brick complex bursts with colour inside and out. Step through its doors and you’re met with vibrant murals and an exhibition space showcasing the work of talented artists from across Zimbabwe. 

Mbare Art Space was established in 2019 to support young, emerging artists with studio space, mentorship, and a welcoming space to grow. Built in the abandoned site of an old beer hall, it hosts 26 resident artists at varying stages of their practice, from young, self-taught talent to international artists with exhibitions on display around the world. “The place is meant for artists and creatives to find a place for exchange and collaboration,” says Moffat Takadiwa, artist and cofounder of the space. “Over the years, it has really been growing.” 

The Mbare Art Space is, however, much more than a place to incubate young artistic talent. A key part of its ethos is to involve and benefit the surrounding community at large. This includes urban renewal, support to folk art traditions unique to the township, and offering practical resources such as potable borehole water access to the community. The Art Space team also hosts art education workshops open to visual artists, graphic designers, photographers, film makers, and other creatives. 

In 2024, Mbare Art Space collaborated with a local not-for-profit organisation, Uncommon.org, which provides free technology training in computer coding, design, digital marketing, and other skills to young adults. Now, Uncommon.org offers its tech bootcamps and after-school classes directly to young people in the township. 

“Magic happens at the intersection of tech and art,” says Peter Kazickas, Uncommon.org founder. “Our students are learning from the creativity of the artists in the space, while the artists learn valuable technology skills, which will be crucial as they grow and sell their art in the digital economy.”  

Oak supports the Mbare Art Space through our Special Interest Programme. Driven by the interests and passions of Oak’s Trustees, the programme provides the space and flexibility to make grants outside of Oak’s other programme strategies. To learn more about the work of Mbare Art Space and its resident artists, watch the video below, or check out the organisation’s Instagram page. To learn more about Uncommon.org, check out its website here.