Zaluso Arts increases community outreach

Zaluso Arts has recently embarked on activities to foster creativity, collaboration and community driven initiatives. Following the drive, the arts collective and creative platform has elected representatives to lead its community initiatives drawn from the Zaluso Community made up of 200 creators and professionals drawn across Malawi. Our Staff Reporter BRIAN ITAI caught up with Zaluso Arts director of programmes and finance Oyitera Mtema who shared some of the strides the hub has registered. Excerpts.

Q

: What is the mission of this establishment?

A

: Our mission is to foster an ecosystem of creatives with growth and work opportunities that harness the arts for profitability and social impact. Our vision is to become a regional leader at connecting creatives to fulfilling jobs and careers.

Q

: When was Zaluso Arts founded?

A

: It was founded in 2014 and later incorporated as a company [limited by guarantee] in November 2022.

Q

: How big is your membership?

A

: Currently we have over 200 creators and professionals across all regions of the country.

Q

: You have recently rolled out a community initiative, what is the purpose of this campaign?

A

:  We brought together over 40 artists from various disciplines. One highlight was the inception of a mini-series project, where members will collaborate across specialties to create engaging content. This event marked the beginning of a series of activities aimed at fostering creativity, collaboration and community-driven creative initiatives. Moving forward, we aim to hold more knowledge-sharing and capacity-building workshops like this one.

Q

: What does this mini-series project entail?

A

: This is a collaborative project in its early stages which will involve community members from various specialties working together to achieve synergies beyond their individual capacities. For example, writers handling scripting, videographers  managing videography, and designers overseeing costumes and promotional materials etc., all culminating in the  mini-series.

Q

: How do you intend to effectively impact the creative industry so you can contribute to its growth?

A

: As Zaluso Arts, we have developed a strategic approach that focuses on several key areas. First and foremost, we prioritise capacity building by offering training programmes and workshops to empower local artists with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry.

We also place a strong emphasis on networking and collaboration, providing platforms for artists to connect, share ideas and collaborate on projects. By fostering a culture of collaboration, we believe we can drive innovation and push the boundaries of creativity.

Additionally, we are always exploring new possibilities, partnerships, and opportunities to further enhance our impact and reach. Lastly, we continue to use art as a tool for social impact, initiating projects that address important social issues and drive positive change in communities.

Through these efforts, we believe we can make a significant and lasting impact on the creative industry in Malawi, contributing to its growth and development.

Q

: What are some of your success stories?

A

: We have established a strong presence in mural artistry across Malawi. The notable murals in the country were created by Zaluso Arts.

The CFAO mural in Lilongwe, is arguably the largest. The organisation’s reach extends beyond borders, evidenced by a mural we created in the streets of London in the United Kingdom. Additionally, we have also led a successful knowledge-exchange workshop in Ghana in collaboration with Act 4 Change. This workshop was grounded in the evidence base created in Malawi about using the arts to achieve social change, highlighting the organisation’s impact and influence in promoting arts for social impact beyond its borders.