The Harare Academy of Inspiration

1. The Harare Academy of Inspiration is an open college for free exchange of creative knowledge, based in the Harare community, Khayelitsha. Through the platform of an open university; a series of talks, workshops and exhibitions we create a hub for the ‘unemployed’ and ‘uneducated’.

2. The first semester of Harare Academy will take place during November 2015, with free daily classes in all that is inspiring.

3. All the lectures will be facilitated by guest speakers – artists, creatives, innovative activists in the community and around Cape Town.

4. The project re-imagines schools and community centres, providing all classes and ages the opportunity to sit in a dream classroom. Our aim is to create a new category of public space that encourages positive social interactions. We use multi disciplinary art to express contemporary notions and creative narratives around the practice of knowledge traffic in society.

5. The basis for the Academy of Inspiration is already set - Moholo LiveHouse has been active for over a year as an alternative institution for Harare community activities – music, poetry, screenings and political conversations.

6. This initiative is a part of ‘Public Art and the Power of Place’ research project by UCT African Centre for Cities. It is a first academic attempt in documenting public art projects in the townships of Cape Town.

7. To make a month long programme of workshops and lectures possible, we provide all that is necessary. To allow students and lecturers to be free to exchange skills, ideas and information, we cover all the costs of transport, equipment, materials and food. This support is possible via national lottery distribution trust fund.

8. We see this opportunity as a way to institutionalise an existing organic practice, with the vision of creating a prototype of a new community institution – one which pours a contemporary fresh meaning into the existing urban-planning category of libraries, theatres, museums and schools.

9. To get involved, choose a date in November and let us know what you would like to do.

10. The project is facilitated by a team of three curators, Feel free to contact:
Brenda Skelenge 073-9401556 trendingkhalture@gmail.com
Valeria Geselev 071-5501427 yallashoola@gmail.com
Naz Ping 084-7688199 naz.s@posteo.de