MutARE Tales

From the very beginning, the DSG e.V. has supported the wide-ranging art project “MutARE Tales”, which was founded by, among others, the two Germans Birgit Kleine Altekamp and Christa Zeller to promote art and young artists in the Mutare region.

Who we are
MutARE Tales is an organisation officially registered with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. It was born out of a love of art, of community and of young people whose voices often go unheard. It is based in Mutare and its work extends into Manicaland. Its mission is to give young, aspiring artists a platform to be seen, heard and valued.

Our purpose and our mission
MutARE Tales empowers and inspires young artists from low-resource communities by opening doors that are normally closed to them. Through art – dance, poetry, music, visual arts, literature, fashion – it creates safe and inclusive spaces where creativity meets critical thinking and where stories about social, cultural and global issues can be told honestly and courageously. Even with limited resources, MutARE Tales nurtures talent, preserves culture and inspires hope.

A committed leadership team
MutARE Tales is led by a committed board of seven volunteers – five Zimbabweans and two Germans – who give their time, skills and networks out of deep conviction for the arts and community development.

The project manager, Tawanda Ndlovu, coordinates programmes, partnerships, events and public relations, yet receives only US$120 a month as a small token of appreciation – far less than the value of the responsibility she carries. Passion, not profit, is what drives everyone involved.

The work of MutARE Tales The organisation

• creates platforms where artists can showcase their talents through events, exhibitions and performances.
• hosts a very successful monthly art and culture night – one of its strongest programmes – with different themes and changing venues in various neighbourhoods of Mutare. These nights bring art directly into communities, break down social barriers and give artists continuous visibility while attracting new audiences.
• runs workshops and mentoring programmes to strengthen artistic, social and entrepreneurial skills.
• uses art as a tool for awareness-raising and social change through initiatives such as “Artists for Change”.
• initiates and leads community projects, including murals that promote environmental and social awareness.
• together with its Zimbabwean partner “Green Governance”, has renovated and reopened a youth centre in Chikanga, a low-resource neighbourhood, which now serves as a safe and lively place for young people’s creativity and engagement.

Most of this work is made possible by donations, partnerships and goodwill. Artists give their time, materials are used sparingly and programmes are run with great personal commitment. And the impact is clearly felt – confidence is built, voices are amplified and communities are brought together.

Looking ahead
The people behind MutARE Tales hope for further support so that the monthly culture night can continue, the youth centre in Chikanga can be strengthened, more young people can be reached and, ultimately, the small team can receive fair compensation for their work. Every donation is more than just financial support – it strengthens faith in young talent, in cultural identity and in the power of art to change lives.