Over 40 young artists boost their careers. through Absa's Ready for Art

Since its launch in December 2023, Ready for Art, promoted by Absa Bank Mozambique, has already supported more than 42 young Mozambican artists in transforming their talent into sustainable professional paths, both within and outside the country.

The results are beginning to gain international recognition. Currently, two artists are in Portugal consolidating their careers: Chris Inácio, who held his first exhibition and is now preparing a second group show, and Adecoal, winner of the Mozal Prize in the Design category, who recently launched his own clothing collection.

Cristóvão Júnior is attending an art training program in Ethiopia and will soon participate in a group exhibition in Portugal. Mossina Gahnesh presented her work in Dubai at the invitation of UN Women, further highlighting the international profile of the new generation of Mozambican creatives.

Nationally, the program's artists have distinguished themselves on various fronts. Maria Chale won the Mozal Prize in the Visual Arts category, designed the cover of a book by Mia Couto with a work previously exhibited at Montras Premier, and participated in the competition for Ipanema's new flip-flop collection. Mozilene won first place in the Ebas recycling competition. Elvis Jacundo was nominated in the Cinema category of the Mozal competition.

Artistic entrepreneurship has also gained prominence. Vasco Mahumane and Amarildo Rungo launched their own clothing brands. Guimarães is creating a cultural center to promote the arts in Nampula. Shelzia, an artist from Pemba, is currently part of World Vision as a resident photographer.

At the level of community intervention and public art, several participants were involved in painting series of murals in Chimoio, Nampula, Nacala, and within the scope of the Beira Street Art project. Mamuarte promotes artistic initiatives for children in schools in Lugela, in the province of Zambézia, and has been recognized by the local government for its contribution to the promotion of the arts.

For the artists themselves, the program represents a turning point in the professionalization of their work. “I learned valuable skills, connected with inspiring people, and gained the confidence to continue exploring my creative expression. For many of us, Ready for Art was the moment we started to see art as a possible, structured, and promising career path,” says Mateus Sithole, visual artist and curator of the program, representing the young creators impacted by the initiative.

Ready for Art was designed to boost the artistic, interpersonal, and entrepreneurial growth of participants, promoting greater sustainability in the creative industries and contributing to aligning Mozambican cultural production with the international market.

For Absa Bank Mozambique, the initiative is part of a broader vision of supporting the country's economic and social development. “Culture lives in people, in their stories and in how they build their future. When we invest in art, we invest in the country's human potential. Ready for Art has proven that it is possible to transform talent into careers and creativity into real opportunities,” says Tânia Oliveira, Director of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Bank Mozambique.

With this program, Absa reaffirms its position as an active partner of the creative industries, promoting culture as a strategic sector for inclusion, innovation and sustainable development in Mozambique.