ABOUT ZCAC
Since November 2002, ZCAC played major roles in bringing world famous artists, such
as David Hammons and organizing internationally acclaimed symposiums like the
International Art Critic Association (AICA) to Ethiopia. Meskerem Assegued, the curator
and founder of ZCAC was one of the members in the selection committee of the 2004
Dak’Art Biennale , one of the largest contemporary art exhibitions in the world. In 2006,
she curated Green Flame in Vienna, Austria, Peter Sellars’s New Crowned Hope
Festival that celebrated Mozart’s 250th birthday. In 2007, Meskerem was one of the
five members of the selection committee for the African Pavilion in the 52nd Venice
Biennale. Over the last 5 years, ZCAC has been promoting innovative young
contemporary Ethiopian artists around the world.
The center is named in memory of the late Zoma Shiferaw. Zoma was a contemporary
female artist who died in 1979 at the age of 27 from cancer. During her short but
productive life, Zoma was actively creating her own art as well as promoting other
young artists.
The Goal of ZCAC is to create a unique contemporary art educational center that will
give young people confidence and opportunities to be independent through creative
means in a stimulating environment. The motto of ZCAC is: IN CREATIVITY THE SKY
IS THE LIMIT
In order to achieve this goal, it is crucial to build on a piece of land within the city of
Addis Abeba. ZCAC will be the first contemporary art center of its kind. From the use
of the land to the methods of construction, to the implementation of the programs, the
center will be built creatively using local material and knowledge and with the help of
experts from national and international communities.
*ZCAC is governed by board of directors and advisory board member
Since November 2002, ZCAC played major roles in bringing world famous artists, such
as David Hammons and organizing internationally acclaimed symposiums like the
International Art Critic Association (AICA) to Ethiopia. Meskerem Assegued, the curator
and founder of ZCAC was one of the members in the selection committee of the 2004
Dak’Art Biennale , one of the largest contemporary art exhibitions in the world. In 2006,
she curated Green Flame in Vienna, Austria, Peter Sellars’s New Crowned Hope
Festival that celebrated Mozart’s 250th birthday. In 2007, Meskerem was one of the
five members of the selection committee for the African Pavilion in the 52nd Venice
Biennale. Over the last 5 years, ZCAC has been promoting innovative young
contemporary Ethiopian artists around the world.
The center is named in memory of the late Zoma Shiferaw. Zoma was a contemporary
female artist who died in 1979 at the age of 27 from cancer. During her short but
productive life, Zoma was actively creating her own art as well as promoting other
young artists.
The Goal of ZCAC is to create a unique contemporary art educational center that will
give young people confidence and opportunities to be independent through creative
means in a stimulating environment. The motto of ZCAC is: IN CREATIVITY THE SKY
IS THE LIMIT
In order to achieve this goal, it is crucial to build on a piece of land within the city of
Addis Abeba. ZCAC will be the first contemporary art center of its kind. From the use
of the land to the methods of construction, to the implementation of the programs, the
center will be built creatively using local material and knowledge and with the help of
experts from national and international communities.
*ZCAC is governed by board of directors and advisory board member
