Simba Λrts

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​Our name, Simba, is a Shona word from a vernacular language of the Bantu people of Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa, which translates as strength. The organisation draws from its name, its ethos and values of strength and oneness in numbers.

 

Simba Λrts has over 2 decades of experience - empowering, mobilising young, vulnerable people & communities to fight against social illness through compelling, spiritual, innovative - Arts and culture programming  that prioritise humanity over productivity.

 

VISION

Our vision is to create opportunities, empower marginalized youth, generate jobs through dance, and ultimately ensure that the arts contribute meaningfully to community development.​​

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MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to:

• Elevate dance arts as a recognized profession.

• Promote unity and collective strength through the philosophy of Ubuntu.

• Empower marginalized communities through creative arts, with a special focus on dance, education, and community-building initiatives.

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The Interconnected Cultural Ecosystem

Initiated by Simba Arts under Culture in a Bowl (est. 2025)

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All the platforms — Vestland Danseteater, Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya, MICA (Movement, Innovation, Community & Arts), ZiDanceSpace, and the forthcoming International Contemporary Dance Evenings (ICDE) — are interconnected initiatives initiated and structured by Simba Arts under the Culture in a Bowl framework (est. 2025).

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How They Fit Together

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1. Culture in a Bowl – The Framework
This is the philosophical and structural foundation. It positions culture as lived, shared, and cyclical — prioritising exchange, process, and long-term ecosystem building over one-off events.

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2. MICA – The Residency & Research Engine
MICA (Movement, Innovation, Community & Arts) functions as the development core. Artists from Zimbabwe and abroad live, collaborate, teach, and create within community contexts. It is where experimentation and embodied research happen.

 

3. Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya – The Professional Anchor
This is the professional Zimbabwean contemporary dance company under Simba Arts. It provides artistic leadership, choreography, training standards, and performance continuity within the ecosystem.

 

4. ZiDanceSpace – The Creative Hub
ZiDanceSpace operates as a physical and conceptual rehearsal, training, and incubation space — supporting local dancers, labs, workshops, and preparation for residency and performance outcomes.

 

5. Vestland Danseteater – International Exchange Partner
Vestland Danseteater represents a bridge into European contemporary dance networks, strengthening international collaboration, touring dialogue, and artistic cross-pollination.

 

6. International Contemporary Dance Evenings (ICDE) – The Public Platform
ICDE is the seasonal presentation platform where works developed through MICA and collaborative exchanges are shared with audiences — creating visibility, diplomacy, and professional recognition.

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The Ecosystem Flow

 

Research (MICA) → Training & Rehearsal (ZiDanceSpace) → Professional Creation (Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya) → International Exchange (Vestland Danseteater) → Public Presentation (ICDE) → Documentation & Continuity → Next Cycle

Rather than separate projects, these initiatives function as one integrated cultural development system — locally rooted in Zimbabwe, internationally connected, movement-led, and structured for legacy.

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Together, they form a sustainable contemporary dance ecosystem under Simba Arts, where innovation, community engagement, and global dialogue continuously inform one another.