Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation
The Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation:
A Special Fund for Education and Culture believes in Zanzibar, in Zanzibaris, and their potential to create a vibrant and self-sustaining future that uniquely reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of these islands.
To that end a fund has been established to support individuals with exceptional talents in artistic and academic fields and to assist local organizations that preserve and enhance the culture of Zanzibar.
The foundation is a non-governmental organization, non-political, non–commercial, non- religious and non–profit making.
Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation
The Foundation strongly believes in Zanzibar, in Zanzibaris, and their potential to create a vibrant and self-sustaining future that uniquely reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of these islands.
The mission is to recognize the unique and significant nature of the local Zanzibari talents, which has emerged from the cosmopolitan island of Zanzibar.
Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation
Since 2014, the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation is a leading organisation honoring local Zanzibari artists in music, film and visual arts and writers such as the poet laureate, the late Mzee Haji Gora. The Foundation has created film, music and visual art awards to inspire and promote Zanzibari artists, who are pursuing their artistic vision in the archipelago, as well as promoting the culture and history of Zanzibar. The three awards complement Zanzibar’s platforms, promoting the arts: Zanzibar International Film Festival and Sauti za Busara international Music festival, as well as the efforts of the Dhow Country Music Academy.
It is exciting to see the impact that Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Awards have had on the recipients’ professional lives and what they used the award money for. Follow our social media and see the articles that highlight each of the award recipients.
Emerson Skeens
The Foundation was co founded (2014) by the late Emerson Skeens, a pioneer of boutique hotels in Zanzibar. He was a Zanzibar resident for 25 years and was renowned for founding and supporting a wide variety of creative innovations.
He co-established and promoted:
- The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF); website: ziff.or.tz
- The Dhow Countries Music Academy, a thriving NGO (see wikipedia article); website: zanzibarmusic.org
- Sauti za Busara, an internationally renowned musical festival; website: busaramusic.org
- Stone Town Heritage Society
Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation
Over the past years, various fundraising efforts have taken place to ensure the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation continues to support individuals and institutions to preserve, promote and enhance Zanzibari culture.
At the last evening of the successful exhibition: ‘All things Emerson Zanzibar’ in 2021, a fundraising dinner was organised in the rooftop Tea House of Emerson on Hurumzi. The Foundation is grateful to all who attended the event in support of cultural project for the benefit of Zanzibaris.
To get involved and support the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation, contact us directly on e-mail: emersonznzfoundation@gmail.com
Emerson's Zanzibar Foundation Today
Just one of the many things that Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation are the many awards they give to talented music, art and film.
In 2021 many young and gifted Zanzibari female vocalists appeared before a panel of judges and performed for the prestigious Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Music award 2022.
Emerson Zanzibar Music Awards 2024
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation’s 8th Music Award 2024 at the Sauti za Busara Music Festival sposored by the top hotels in Stone Town
Emerson Zanzibar Art Awards Exhibition December 2023
Emerson Zanzibar is not just hotels and restaurants; since our doors opened, Emerson Zanzibar Foundation has been very closely connected to the culture and art community. This is the 3rd year art award and exhibition.
Emerson Zanzibar Music Awards 2023
The board of the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation is delighted to announce its seventh Music Award 2023. the award is aimed at up and coming local vocalists, performers and poets.
The Emerson Art Gallery Stone Town
The official VIP opening of the art exhibition was held on the 17 June 2022, at The Emerson Gallery. This spacious and newly created art gallery is housed within one of top boutique hotels in Stone Town, The Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel.
Emerson Zanzibar Film Award June 2022
Emerson Zanzibar Film Award 2022
‘Maisha ya Zanzibar’ (‘Zanzibar Life’).
The theme this year of the Emerson Zanzibar Foundation award for film makers is ‘Maisha ya Zanzibar’. All the local participating directors and film makers will present their interpretation of Zanzibar’s diverse life.
Emerson Zanzibar Art Exhibition June 2022
Emerson Zanzibar is not just hotels and restaurants; since our doors opened, Emerson Zanzibar Foundation has been very closely connected to the culture and art community. This is the 2nd year the art award and exhibition.
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Facebook
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For other events and all that is happening in Stone Town see Social Media or our Whats Happening In Stone Town pages
