By Bayan Nalubwama
After over fifty-five years, Uganda’s National gallery, the Nommo gallery is set to host the collective memories curatorial workshop on Monday, 21st June, 2021.
The event that is going to be mainly online is to be celebrated under the theme “Re-institutionalization of Ugandan Art” and is to run from 21st June to 17th July 2021.
Speaking to this website, Philip Balimunsi, the curator, Nommo gallery revealed that the workshop is looking at equipping emerging curators with the knowledge of curating in modern day world and eight participants were selected from the 21 who had submitted to the call for participants that was made on 17th May 2021.
“The main objective is Orientating curators into how to manage exhibitions making because the biggest challenge we do have in Uganda is we don’t sort of pay attention to the delivery of exhibitions to the general audience. We only mind about selling and producing work. Artistes have produced enough but don’t have people to guide them on how to do exhibitions and how to attract particular audiences.” He said
Philip added that the workshop is to tailor exhibitions to a level that can be appreciated by Ugandans.”
The Executive Assistant- Administration and Research, Pan African Women’s Organization, Emily Akullu, one of the participants is very hopeful and happy that Re-institutionalization is the theme for the workshop. According to her, Re-institutionalization is one of the key components that should be fronted in promoting Ugandan Art and Culture because it’s success helps former systems to begin to function so that people know that there is a limit or a benchmark to things they do and also make the consumers of the product comfortable with what they see.
“Since it’s a workshop that’s looking at memorial collection, I am very hopeful that I will be able to learn on how to put together memories for public viewing and consumption.
And basically I also hope to learn about Uganda’s memorial institution. I am hopeful that at the end of the workshop I will come out with something more concrete than what I had always conceived.” She said
Journalist Moses Serugo who is also a selected participant said: ” I hope to be introduced to disruptive ways of visual arts curation that go beyond gallery and museum walls, enhance the documentation processes of my YouTube channel, 256 Arts TV.”
The workshop is to be facilitated by Ojede Francis Peter ED Uganda National Cultural Centre, Art collector Jenifer Mpyisi, Robert Musiitwa, UNCC Public Relations Officer, Balimunsi Phillip, Curator for Uganda National gallery/Nommo gallery, Bead MasterSana gateja among others.
The event will end with the launch of an end of training group exhibition conceived by the workshop activities and trainees.
