Fundraising

‘The Zimbabwe Academy of Music is a jewel in the crown of our country, a vital force in cultural education.  But, like so many of our once strong institutions, it hangs by a thread’.

Senator David Coltart
Minister of Education
Republic of Zimbabwe.

For more than 60 years, the Zimbabwe Academy of Music (ZAM) has stood for ambition, hope and optimism. Thousands of children and adults have studied music and taken international exams at its Bulawayo campus. In recent years it has been the driving force behind the Bulawayo Music Festival, which has continued bringing celebrated international artists to Zimbabwe throughout dark times. Its main performing venue, the renowned Robert Sibson Hall, is one of the finest in sub- Saharan Africa, and is a centre point for the cultural life of Zimbabwe’s second city. Since its foundation as a not-for-profit organisation in 1949,  the Academy has welcomed students of all races and ages, and actively seeks to encourage black Zimbabweans to study musical instruments.

In recent years, the economic downturn in Zimbabwe has hit the Academy hard; student numbers have fallen, with those remaining struggling to pay monthly fees, and the teaching skill-base has been severely depleted as many professional educators have left the country. The Academy’s resources are dwindling rapidly, and without major support, its future hangs in the balance. If ZAM ceases to exist, Zimbabwe will have lost a major institution, one that challenges and inspires young people to raise their ambitions,  unites Zimbabweans across the ethnic spectrum, and offers stability and hope for the future.

ZAM has recently made a major grant application to the new Zimbabwe Government Culture Fund for support with capital projects including air-conditioning for the Sibson Hall, an outside performance space, and support for musicians from South Africa to perform at the Academy

In Bulawayo ZAM organises a wide range of fundraising events itself,  including opera, ballet and film nights, book sales, weekend events and raffles. It earns further revenue by renting out parts of the ZAM campus to other education/performing arts groups.

We hope you may consider supporting the work of the Zimbabwe Academy of Music.  Donations might be made towards the general causes, or towards specific projects, providing opportunities for naming rights, project visits etc etc.

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