THE seventh edition of the Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards (PRACA) is set to play a more strategic role this year, positioning itself as a key platform to bridge the long-standing gap between artists and policymakers.
Running from December 17 to 19 under the theme, Creative Voices for Social Transformation and Sustainable Futures, PRACA 2026 will bring together creatives, government representatives, development partners and private sector players in a three-day programme designed to foster dialogue, collaboration and policy engagement.
Organised by Home of Arts Entertainment, the initiative is evolving beyond a celebratory awards platform to a space where the arts sector can directly engage decision-makers on issues affecting its growth and sustainability.
Home of Arts Entertainment and PRACA founder and director Happy Mpofu said PRACA was more than just an awards ceremony — it was a movement driven by creativity, youth energy and community resilience.
“Through PRACA 2026, we aim to inspire change, influence policy and build a more inclusive and sustainable future,” she said.
At the centre of this year’s approach is the Artist Summit and Networking Dinner, scheduled for the second day of the programme.
The platform is expected to facilitate conversations around funding, policy support, intellectual property protection and the role of the creative sector in national development.
For years, artists have called for greater recognition within policy frameworks, citing limited access to funding, inadequate institutional support and lack of structured engagement with authorities.
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PRACA 2026 seeks to respond to these concerns by creating a structured interface between creatives and those shaping policy.
The three-day event will begin with the Zimbabwe Key to the City Youth Arts Festival, a youth-driven showcase that uses performance, exhibitions and interactive sessions to highlight pressing social issues such as mental health, drug and substance abuse, gender-based violence and climate change.
“These programmes are designed to promote mental health and emotional well-being, encourage youth entrepreneurship and strengthen the fight against drug and substance abuse,” Mpofu said.
These themes are expected to feed into discussions at the summit, providing real-life context and lived experiences that can inform policy conversations.
The event will conclude with the main awards ceremony, recognising excellence and impact within the arts and community development sectors, while also celebrating creatives who are using their platforms to drive social change.
Mpofu has been instrumental in growing the initiative into a recognised cultural platform that promotes inclusivity, community engagement and creative expression.
“By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, PRACA continues to strengthen partnerships within the creative sector while giving visibility to local talent,” he said.
Beyond dialogue, the platform is also expected to open up opportunities for partnerships between artists and institutions, particularly in areas such as community development, education and public awareness campaigns.
As Zimbabwe continues to explore the potential of the creative economy, initiatives like PRACA are increasingly being recognised as important connectors between culture and governance.
With preparations underway, organisers have called on government institutions, corporates and development agencies to come on board through sponsorship and collaboration, emphasising that collective effort is key to unlocking the full potential of the arts sector.
If successful, PRACA 2026 could mark a turning point in how artists and policymakers engage — shifting from parallel conversations to meaningful collaboration that drives both cultural and socio-economic development.
