Arts view with Thabani H Moyo
In the preceding years there has been a lot of talk about the Arts Mafia being in existence in Bulawayo. Its existence has been debated in different circles with some sectors even going to the extent of mentioning dons that make the big five of the Arts Mafia in Bulawayo.
The ‘arts mafia’ phenomenon is derived from the Italian criminal groups that thrive in business through illicit activities. The proponents of Arts Mafia believe that in the creative sector there are individual artists and arts organisations that are in control of the sector for their personal benefits at the expense of others. They draw parallels of how the Italian Mafia operates with how this group of individuals and organisations operates.
It has to be acknowledged that each community has men and women of consequence. These individuals have power that they have gained through years of experience as artists and their works are in the public for all to sample them. It has to be acknowledged that they are what they are through hard work. However some have power thrust on them as they inherit offices and establishments that are already running. These are men and women who have made great steps in the development of the arts. These individuals are not outlaws like the Italian Mafia. They are men and women who are powerful. Their power might be real or an illusion. Their successes are Googleable.
What is Arts Mafia? In principle Arts Mafia refers to a group of individuals who hold power to make vital decisions within the Creative sector. It is a well-built closed social network system that enables certain individual artists and Art organisations to reach certain level of social and economic success. The Arts Mafia is built around interpersonal relationships which are crucial to fulfil and attain self-interest and shared organisational objectives. It is believed that these individuals have unwritten codes and rules within themselves. They have serious allegiances to each other. The Arts Mafia is built on patronage and friendships. When certain individuals and organisations come up with programs it is easy to tell which Arts organisations and individual artists will be invited to partake in the programs. Sometimes these are invited not on merit but on the principle that they will return the favour. This is most true with organisations that receive outside support. It is believed that the little resources in the Arts sector is shared among these few individual artists and Arts organisations through various programs.
There are some artists that feel that as long as you are not in good books with Arts Mafia it will be difficult to be recognised in the sector. In a set up like this it becomes difficult for new artists to break in. They can only do so through their connections with ‘people of consequence’ who are already within the ‘Arts Mafia circle’ or are attached to a Mafioso.
The Arts Mafia sometimes work as ‘consultants’ on different matters that have to do with the arts. They influence the positioning of individuals within influential positions because of their influence as active senior artists who have seen it all in the sector. The Mafioso is also consulted when it comes to distribution of resources that are meant for the Creative Sector. This means that if you are not in good books with the Arts Mafia you may find yourself denied access. The Arts Mafia approves which individual artists and arts projects are genuinely in existence and which ones are a joke. The Arts Mafia play a role when it comes to inclusion and exclusion in many areas of the creative sector that include programming, workshops and other activities.
The existence or non-existence of Arts Mafia is non-consequential, what is consequential are its activities and outcomes. If these Arts Mafias are there for the benefits and promotion of the of the sector then let them be. But when their activities are out there to stifle and negatively affect talent then their existence is unhealthy. To some, the existence or non-existence of the Arts Mafia is neither here or there. They believe in working hard and pushing yourself up the rung against any odds be they real or illusionary.
Disclaimer: Views and opinions shared in this article are purely personal.
