One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey is having the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the remarkable women who are shaping the creative and cultural industries. Silenkosi Moyo is undeniably one of those extraordinary women, and today, I am honored to shine a well-deserved spotlight on her. As the Regional Manager of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, overseeing Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces, Silenkosi has been a trailblazer in the arts sector. In this feature, she graciously shares her professional insights and experiences, offering a glimpse into the leadership and vision that have made her institution a beacon of creativity and cultural heritage. Her unwavering passion and transformative leadership style not only empowers those around her but also continues to redefine the role of galleries within the broader cultural landscape. Silenkosi’s dedication is an inspiration to us all, and her work stands as a testament to the impact that one visionary leader can have in the cultural sector.
Silenkosi Moyo’s journey in the arts sector began in 2007, when she first joined the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo as an Administrator. It was within this role that she made her initial foray into the vibrant cultural landscape, gaining invaluable experience that would shape her future in the industry. Over the years, Moyo’s dedication and expertise saw her rise through the ranks, and in 2022, she was appointed as the Regional Manager for Bulawayo. This pivotal position not only marks a significant milestone in her career but also underscores her deep commitment to advancing the arts in the region. Today, she continues to lead with vision and passion, guiding the institution as it plays a crucial role in the cultural life of Bulawayo and beyond.
She candidly reflects on how her entry into the arts industry was entirely unforeseen. Having placed a job advert in The Chronicle newspaper, she was surprised when the National Gallery responded, inviting her for an interview. At the time, she never imagined she would find herself working in such an environment. In fact, she admits that she had never even visited the gallery before, viewing it as an exclusive space. This unexpected opportunity marked the beginning of what she now describes as an incredible journey in the arts.
She expresses deep gratitude for the love, support and guidance she has received throughout her journey from numerous influential individuals and organizations. She acknowledges the pivotal role of her directorate in shaping her leadership abilities, offering invaluable insights that have contributed significantly to her professional growth.
She is immensely grateful for the mentorship she received from her previous supervisors during her time as an Administrator. Their guidance helped her establish a strong foundation in arts administration and continually encouraged her to pursue leadership opportunities.
Furthermore, she feels privileged to have participated in several fellowship programs that have greatly contributed to her development as a leader. Among these, she is particularly thankful for her involvement in the Yale IPCH Directors Forum, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Programme (AWE). These experiences have been instrumental in shaping her professional journey and expanding her leadership capabilities.
She is also deeply thankful for the unwavering support of her friends and colleagues, who have always been willing to offer counsel and guidance whenever needed. Their encouragement and advice have been invaluable to her throughout her career, providing constant reassurance and wisdom along the way.
Silenkosi emphasizes her belief that empathy is the most essential quality for anyone working in the creative and cultural industry, “Educational qualification aside, I firmly believe that the most important quality for someone to have when working in this field is empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it’s essential in building strong relationships with artists, funders, buyers, and other stakeholders”.
She goes on to explain that, when working with artists, empathy allows one to truly understand their creative vision, struggles, and passions. It equips you to offer the support and resources necessary to bring their projects to life, while also helping to navigate the delicate balance between artistic expression and administrative realities.
Empathy, she adds, is equally important in cultivating relationships with funders, buyers, and other stakeholders. It helps to grasp their needs, concerns, and expectations, enabling a tailored approach that builds trust and fosters long-term partnerships.
However, she acknowledges that empathy alone is not enough. As an arts administrator, one must also bring passion, dedication, and humility to the role, ensuring a well-rounded and effective approach to leadership. “Passion is essential in driving your work and inspiring others. It’s what gets you excited about a new project or initiative, and it’s what motivates you to overcome obstacles and challenges,” she says.
She also emphasizes that dedication is essential for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. It’s about being fully committed to your work, your artists, and your stakeholders, and being prepared to invest the necessary time and effort to achieve success, she adds.
In addition, Silenkosi talks about how humility plays a crucial role in recognizing that one cannot be an expert in every area where she says It’s about being open to listening, learning, and accepting advice from others. Humility also helps maintain focus and stay grounded, even when faced with challenges and setbacks, she adds.
She offers valuable advice to young professionals aspiring to enter the industry, urging them to be thoroughly prepared and well-informed about the profession. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the industry’s dynamics, acquiring relevant skills, and staying current with trends to ensure success in this field. She advises aspiring professionals to stay curious, open-minded, and committed to learning, while gaining practical experience and building relationships within the arts ecosystem. Most importantly, they should remain true to their passion for the arts and dedication to supporting artists and communities.
To young professionals aspiring to work in arts management, I’d say: “Be curious, be open-minded, and be willing to learn. Develop a strong understanding of the arts ecosystem, and build relationships with artists, curators, and other stakeholders. Gain practical experience through internships, volunteering, or freelance work. And most importantly, stay true to your passion for the arts and your commitment to supporting artists and communities.”
As the Regional Manager for the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Silenkosi outlines her key duties and responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of understanding these roles for the benefit of both artists wishing to collaborate with the gallery and those currently engaged with it. Silenkosi oversees strategic vision, operations, and fundraising efforts, while ensuring programs align with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and cultural policies. She emphasizes empowering and trusting her team, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone’s contributions are valued. Through open communication, regular feedback, and recognizing achievements, she motivates her team, promoting innovation and continuous improvement in the gallery’s programs and exhibitions.
”As a leader, I believe that managing and motivating a team is about empowering and trusting them to achieve our shared vision. I acknowledge that I don’t have all the answers, and that’s why I surround myself with talented and passionate individuals who share our vision. I foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise. By doing so, I create a sense of ownership and accountability among team members, which motivates them to work towards a common goal. I also prioritize open communication, regular feedback, and recognition of individual and team achievements. By celebrating our successes and learning from our setbacks, we grow and improve together, and our programs and exhibitions become more innovative and effective”, explains Silenkosi.
Silenkosi acknowledges that, like in any environment, she faces a range of challenges that test both her leadership and creative problem-solving abilities. These challenges require her to continuously adapt and find innovative solutions to navigate the complexities of her role. Two of the biggest challenges Silenkosi encounters are conflicts with certain artists and limited funding, she explains here, “Conflicts with artists can arise from creative differences, disagreements over exhibition concepts, or issues related to artistic freedom. These conflicts require careful navigation, empathy, and effective communication to resolve. Limited funding is another significant challenge, as a national gallery, we rely on government funding, grants, and private donations to support our programs and exhibitions. With limited resources, we must prioritize our projects, seek innovative funding solutions, and build strategic partnerships to achieve our goals”.
As the Regional Manager of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Silenkosi is pleased to highlight the crucial role of national galleries, both generally and specifically within Bulawayo. National galleries are essential in preserving and promoting a nation’s artistic heritage, as they collect, conserve, and exhibit works of art that reflect the country’s history, culture, and identity.
In Zimbabwe, the National Gallery operates as a government department under the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, established by an Act of Parliament. Its core functions include the collection, presentation, and conservation of art through both local and international exhibitions. Additionally, the gallery provides training and capacity-building programs for artists, ensuring their meaningful contribution to the visual arts ecosystem.
As the Regional Manager in Bulawayo, Silenkosi, along with her team, is dedicated to promoting Zimbabwean art and culture while offering a platform for local artists to showcase their work. Their efforts focus on making art more accessible to diverse audiences through outreach programs and exhibitions that empower artists from smaller cities and rural areas.
For Silenkosi, the most fulfilling aspect of her career is seeing the profound impact of the gallery’s exhibitions on the community and watching artists thrive through the platforms provided. Each exhibition reflects the dedication of the team and collectively celebrates Zimbabwe’s rich art, culture, and creativity. She is deeply passionate about balancing the showcasing of historical works with providing contemporary artists a space for their innovative expressions.
Silenkosi is also committed to fostering collaboration with local and international artists, bringing fresh perspectives to the public. Moreover, the gallery prioritizes inclusivity by engaging underrepresented communities, offering outreach programs like art workshops in children’s homes, ensuring that art remains accessible to all, regardless of background.
“We also offer capacity-building programs for artists, which aim to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as art management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. These programs are designed to empower artists and help them succeed in their careers. In addition, we’ve created an annual provincial exhibition that showcases the work of artists from outside Bulawayo. This initiative provides a platform for artists from marginalized communities to share their stories and perspectives with a wider audience. We also participate in career guidance days, where we provide information and advice to students who are interested in pursuing careers in the arts. Furthermore, we organize community-based exhibitions that celebrate local culture and heritage”.
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is committed to making art more accessible and inclusive, offering a range of programs aimed at engaging underrepresented groups and promoting art education. These include workshops, artist talks, guided tours, and lectures, all designed to deepen public understanding of art.
The gallery provides hands-on workshops for all ages, along with artist residencies, internships, and outreach programs to foster art appreciation. Educational initiatives are extended to schools and community groups, ensuring broader access to the arts.
Adapting to the digital age, the gallery is integrating innovative technologies into its public art space, including a dedicated digital art hub for training and exhibiting digital art. The gallery also supports international cultural exchange through residency programs and participation in the Venice Biennale, encouraging artists from the region to create works that may be showcased on a global, participation is spearheaded by the Head office in Harare.
In conclusion, Silenkosi outlines the eligibility criteria for individuals or organizations interested in collaborating with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, specifically in Bulawayo. She highlights the qualities and qualifications sought in potential partners, providing insight into the gallery’s expectations for collaboration.
“We welcome collaborations and partnerships with individuals and organizations that share our vision of empowering artists and promoting Zimbabwean art. We’re looking for partners who recognize the value of artistic services and are willing to provide fair compensation for them. Unfortunately, we’ve encountered instances where artists are expected to provide their services for free, while other expenses such as food, venue, and decor are budgeted for. We believe that partnerships should be based on mutual respect and fair compensation for all parties involved.
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo welcomes collaboration opportunities and invites interested parties to get in touch. Contact can be made through the gallery’s website at www.nationalgallerybyo.com, social media platforms @byogallery, or via email at sabona@mweb.co.zw. Additionally, inquiries can be directed to the gallery by phone or WhatsApp at +263 77 276 4807. For those wishing to meet in person, the gallery is located at 75 Joshua Nkomo Street / L Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
