The Hothausing Lab is an artists’ collective committed to innovation, training and sustainable livelihoods. It is coordinated and staffed by artists from Zimbabwe and the African Diaspora. Our ensemble grew out of The Gospel of Othello experience—three British Council sponsored projects instigated and carried out by Tribal Soul.
Master Artists share research and experience with emerging artists and citizens in an experimental cross fertilisation of creative ideas and learning approaches. We produce innovative interdisciplinary work and in the process provide apprenticeships in a variety of disciplines for all levels of experience and age range. Our participants are encouraged to initiate, develop and manage their own projects with sustainable livelihoods as a primary imperative. The Hothausing conceptualisation process was developed by Patrice Naiambana, the founder and lead facilitator of Tribal Soul, and has been faciliiated internationally in Hong Kong, Brussels, Sierra Leone, UK, Zimbabwe, The Netherlands and Canada. There exists a wide network of expertise and inspiration to draw upon.
We are distinctive from other professional development outfits in a number of ways:
1) Culturepreneurship and Innovation
We create and train to encourage innovative thinking and enterprise. Innovation is crucial for forward thinking Cultureprenuers. For instance our inaugural cultural product, The Gospel of Othello is an innovative intercultural product relevant to a wide range of local issues and may be posited in the global market.
2) African-Led, African Future, African Expertise
The lead facilitators and programme designers are Africans with Diaspora experience and vision. They began their vocations 25 years ago in much the same conditions and challenges young Zimabweans face now. They possess vast international experience and are practising professional artists in mainstream arenas (Royal Shakespeare Company, Alvin Ailey, The Globe, The National Theatre, BBC Radio, Television, Film, Voice Overs, National Health Service UK).
3) Creativity and Indigenous Culture are at the heart of our programmes
Artists and citizens are not only assisted in developing skills, but encouraged to value indigenous culture and folkloric wisdom and to envision work that stimulates a rebranding of Zimbabwe and Africa.
4) Global-local consciousness infuses the selection of research material for workshops, events and culturemaking
African artists should consider that their creativity and world view is of wide marketable relevance and significance to the continent and as well as global markets.
5) Social Transformation and Creative Learning for All Our programmes and cultural products are suitable for diverse people and backgrounds whether they see themselves as artists or not.
The Hothausing Lab 