SIMBA ΛRTS

VISION

Hope to use creative arts in particular DANCE as the main driving force to create an ever-growing community& generations of enthusiastic young people who believe that an “ubuntu” better world is possible and are empowered and enthusiastic about seeing it happen within their life time and unlimately creates sustainable employment & generational wealth out of our art.

MISSION STATEMENT 

Empowering marginalized lives through creative arts in particular DANCE activities that acts as a deterrent from social ills such as physical & mental health, child prostitution (sex work), early marriage, drug and substance abuse.

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BENEFICIARIES 

The community at large, in particular young and different abled People from the minority communities.

WE VALUE

Strength and oneness in numbers

 – Originality 

 – Creativity 

 – Diversity

 – Courage

 – Action

 – Inclusion

Its 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.

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OUR STORY / BACKGROUND

Simba Λrts is an registered non-profit umbrella organization that has a motive to empower marginalised women, young people and different abled people who have passion for creative arts in particular DANCE to rise and shine. This has been a motive since Simba Arts was born in 1997 and for the past 24 years has achieved to bring in new young artists each year to grow in the society and world at large. 

Its 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.

Our organization was coined by two Brothers namely; Tendai Zuze Fulukia (aka Apostel) & Simbarashe Norman Fulukia (aka Simba).The two were born and raised in the dusty streets of Mbare Township to retired City of Harare Clerck - Pertos Kapanga Fulukia and the late House wife & apostle; Letwin Chimtashu of Karoi District, Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe.

Their passion to provide opportunities, empower young people, create jobs out of dance, art, and ultimately ensure that dance, art contributes to Community development began in their teenage life. In the year 1997, they established an organization operating underground and they have never looked back ever since.

The organization went through the name Evolution before we became Simba Λrts.

went through the name Evolution before we became Simba Λrts. 

Currently Simba Λrts operates in two countries and five areas (Bergen, Mbare Township, Hatcliffe & Victoria Falls City).

Co-founders Simba and Tendai  Fulukia, works in partnership as Tendai leads the team on the ground in Zimbabwe and Simba leads the team in Norway.

OUR LEADERS

The Passion Behind the Simba Arts Movement

ACHIEVEMENTS

ACHIEVEMENTS OF SIMBA ARTS

• Created freelance employment for 500+ youth & professionals since 1997-present 

• Mentored 2000+ pupils since 1997-present

• Formation of Simba Arts Norway in August 2013

• Formation of the first integrated physical dance theatre company in the newly Vestland region ; www.vestlanddanseteater.no

• Formation of the first Ubuntu driven Festivals in Norway & Zimbabwe (Bergen Afro Arts Festival & Mbare Edutainment Festival (Me! Fest).The festivals were rebranded to one family touring festival in 2021 namely; UnX (UnlimiTed Xpreshenz).

• Bringing people together through unlimited expressions in particular with African arts and cultures

• Formation of Dance Day celebration in Bømlo kommune in Norway

• Staging performances of Contemporary dance and other multicultural creations sometimes with international professional dancers as principal artistes

• Promoting dance & music  through tours to other cities in Norway & Zimbabwe, films, workshops, lectures

• Co-production with the Carte Blanche,Norwegian National Contemporary Dance Company to stage Figure-ring New Voices

• Co-production with Syv Mil As, Fana Kulturhus & BITeatergarasjen to stage Figure-ring New Voices

• Collaborating with Bømlo & Bergen kulturskole to stage productions to the benefit of the pupils

• Collaborating with The Botswana's first Contemporary Dance Company Mophatho at Bergen Afro Arts Festival 2015 for Dance’s benefit.

• Staging productions of “#GreatZimbabwe” and “Unlimited Ubuntu”, which provided all dancers/performing Artists with the opportunity to perform on a stage in front of an audience. These projects led to the formation of the first integrated physical dance theater company in the newly city of Victoria Falls,Zimbabwe namely; Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya

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OUR projects and programmes are self funded & in Norway we are occasionally financed by:

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Bergen kommune 

Norsk kulturrådet

Sparebanken Vest

Fond for Utøvende Kunstnere

Hordaland fylkeskommune

Fanasparebank

BKK

UD reisestøtte – scenekunst 

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Associated with: Syv Mil As, Cafe Sanaa, Batteriet Vest, Carte Blanche, Fana kulturhus, Ny-kroghborg kultursenter, Naomi Restaurant, Bergen kulturskule,

Dance Link AS, IN2IT International Dance Festival, Nini Kreationz, Freedom Kime Photography, Youth in Peace Building Zimbabwe, Music Crossroads Zimbabwe, Dance Trust of Zimbabwe

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