Bulawayo’s artistic story is written in more places than its theatres and galleries. It lives in township halls, community spaces, studios, cultural centres and buildings that have witnessed generations of talent finding their voices.

This year’s ninth edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA9) brought that history into the spotlight by taking its nominee announcements to some of the city’s recognisable locations, turning what is usually an awards announcement into a journey through Bulawayo’s cultural identity.

Led by Lady Tshawe, popularly known as The Voice and an award-winning artist, the nominee revelations were held across nine locations; Makhosi Township Square, Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, Stanley Hall in Makokoba, Bulawayo Theatre, Cotton/Kings Kraal, Bulawayo City Council’s Tower Block, The Smokehouse, ZITF outside Hall 3 and CNC Studios.

The choice of locations gave the announcement a different character. Rather than gathering everything under one roof, the awards brought the excitement closer to the places and spaces that form part of Bulawayo’s artistic landscape.
Makokoba, in particular, carries a special place in the city’s cultural history. Stanley Hall and Stanley Square have witnessed generations of community activities, entertainment and artistic expression. Stanley Hall became an important performance space for Amakhosi Theatre Productions in the early 1980s, helping nurture a theatre movement that would influence Zimbabwean performing arts.

It is therefore fitting that one of the city’s most important artistic recognition platforms returned to a place associated with the development of local theatre. For older generations, these locations bring back memories, while younger artists can appreciate the foundations upon which much of today’s creative industry was built.

At Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, the story takes another direction. The centre has a long history of developing practical artistic skills, including fine art, ceramics, sculpture, pottery and other creative disciplines. Established at its present site in 1963, it has played a role in equipping people with skills that can be turned into livelihoods.

Its inclusion was a reminder that the arts industry extends beyond music and performance. The hands that create sculptures, paintings, crafts and other works also contribute to Bulawayo’s creative identity.
Makhosi Township Square also brought attention to the importance of community-based cultural spaces, where artistic expression has historically found room to grow outside conventional entertainment venues.

Bulawayo Theatre, meanwhile, represents the city’s established performing arts environment. Theatre has long provided a platform for storytelling, drama and the presentation of local and international productions. Its place in the announcement reflected the importance of live performance in keeping the city’s cultural life active.

The inclusion of Cotton/Kings Kraal added another dimension to the journey, while the BCC Tower Block brought the city’s civic identity into the celebrations. The latter was particularly symbolic, given the relationship between the city’s administration, its heritage and the development of cultural activities.

The Smokehouse, CNC Studios and the ZITF grounds outside Hall 3 brought the contemporary creative environment into the picture. Studios and production spaces are important to the modern arts industry, providing opportunities for artists to develop, record, collaborate and present their work. ZITF, on the other hand, is a familiar platform for exhibitions, business and the showcasing of Zimbabwean enterprise.

Together, the locations offered a picture of an industry that has developed through different generations, from community-based artistic expression to professional production and wider commercial opportunities.

The approach also gave the ninth edition a strong sense of place. Bulawayo’s artistic identity is not confined to a particular building or group of performers. It is spread across communities, institutions and creative spaces, with each contributing something different.