The Story

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.

Mission Statement

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.

Achievements

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.

FOUNDER

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:

Fundraising

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 Zanzibar Foundation Facebook

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Emerson's Zanzibar Foundation

Emerson's Zanzibar Foundation

Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation:
A Special Fund for Arts and Culture in Zanzibar

Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Music Award - Busara Xtra

Join us for the 9th Music Award!

Live performances of the contestants for the Award

🗓️ Thursday 13 February 2025
16.00 in the band stand in Forodhani Gardens

Welcome all!

Music Award Ceremony
Saturday 15 February 2025
20.30 in the Amphitheatre in the Old Fort
Sauti za Busara music festival

….

*Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation - Tuzo ya Muziki*
Busara Xtra

Jiunge nasi kwenye Tuzo ya 9 ya Muziki ya Emerson Foundation!

Live performances ya washiriki wa Tuzo
Alhamisi 13 Februari 2025
Saa 10 jioni - Bustani za Forodhani - Band Stand
Karibuni Wote!

Sherehe ya Tuzo ya Muziki
Jumamosi 15 Februari 2025
Saa 2.30 usiku - Amphitheatre Ngome Kongwe
Tamasha la Sauti za Busara

@emersonzanzibarfoundation
@emersonzanzibar
@sautizabusara
... See MoreSee Less

Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Music Award - Busara Xtra

Join us for the 9th Music Award!

Live performances of the contestants for the Award

🗓️ Thursday 13 February 2025
16.00 in the band stand in Forodhani Gardens

Welcome all!

Music Award Ceremony
Saturday 15 February 2025
20.30 in the Amphitheatre in the Old Fort 
Sauti za Busara music festival

….

*Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation - Tuzo ya Muziki*
Busara Xtra

Jiunge nasi kwenye Tuzo ya 9 ya Muziki ya Emerson Foundation!

Live performances ya washiriki wa Tuzo
Alhamisi 13 Februari 2025
Saa 10 jioni  - Bustani za Forodhani - Band Stand
Karibuni Wote!

Sherehe ya Tuzo ya Muziki
Jumamosi 15 Februari 2025
Saa 2.30 usiku - Amphitheatre Ngome Kongwe 
Tamasha la Sauti za Busara

@emersonzanzibarfoundation
@emersonzanzibar
@sautizabusara

✨ Final Week to Experience HomeComing by Othman Ali ✨

Othman Ali’s remarkable exhibition HomeComing is in its final days! This is your last chance to witness his vibrant, layered works that beautifully weave together Zanzibari traditions, kanga textiles, and Arabic calligraphy into stunning visual stories.

If you’re in Stone Town, don’t miss the opportunity to step into a world where past and present converge through art. And with Sauti za Busara starting on 14th February, there’s no better time to visit the Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Gallery at 240 Hurumzi Street.

Come celebrate culture, heritage, and the power of artistic homecoming before the exhibition closes on 16th February!

📍 Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Gallery
📅 Exhibition runs until 16th February 2025
📷 Tag us in your photos!
📲 Instagram: @emersonzanzibarfoundation
Facebook: @emersonzanzibarfoundation
🔗 More info: www.emersonzanzibar.com

#HomeComing #OthmanAli #ZanzibarArt #SautiZaBusara #EmersonZanzibar #VisitZanzibar
... See MoreSee Less

✨ Final Week to Experience HomeComing by Othman Ali ✨

Othman Ali’s remarkable exhibition HomeComing is in its final days! This is your last chance to witness his vibrant, layered works that beautifully weave together Zanzibari traditions, kanga textiles, and Arabic calligraphy into stunning visual stories.

If you’re in Stone Town, don’t miss the opportunity to step into a world where past and present converge through art. And with Sauti za Busara starting on 14th February, there’s no better time to visit the Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Gallery at 240 Hurumzi Street.

Come celebrate culture, heritage, and the power of artistic homecoming before the exhibition closes on 16th February!

📍 Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Gallery
📅 Exhibition runs until 16th February 2025
📷 Tag us in your photos!
📲 Instagram: @emersonzanzibarfoundation
Facebook: @emersonzanzibarfoundation
🔗 More info: www.emersonzanzibar.com

#HomeComing #OthmanAli #ZanzibarArt #SautiZaBusara #EmersonZanzibar #VisitZanzibarImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

Experience "HomeComing" by Othman Ali at Emersons Zanzibar Gallery

Join us for the upcoming exhibition "HomeComing" by renowned artist Othman Ali at the Emersons Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery from January 23 to February 16, 2025. This marks Othman’s first exhibition in Zanzibar, where his vibrant, multi-layered artworks will take center stage.

Drawing on his diverse background, Othman Ali blends Zanzibari, Arab, European, and US influences, creating dynamic works that are rich in color, texture, and cultural storytelling.

Opening Date: January 23, 2025
📍Emersons Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery
Duration: Until February 16, 2025

Be part of this unforgettable cultural celebration!

#OthmanAli #HomeComingExhibition #ZanzibarArt #ContemporaryArt
... See MoreSee Less

Experience HomeComing by Othman Ali at Emersons Zanzibar Gallery

Join us for the upcoming exhibition HomeComing by renowned artist Othman Ali at the Emersons Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery from January 23 to February 16, 2025. This marks Othman’s first exhibition in Zanzibar, where his vibrant, multi-layered artworks will take center stage.

Drawing on his diverse background, Othman Ali blends Zanzibari, Arab, European, and US influences, creating dynamic works that are rich in color, texture, and cultural storytelling.

Opening Date: January 23, 2025
📍Emersons Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery
Duration: Until February 16, 2025

Be part of this unforgettable cultural celebration!

#OthmanAli #HomeComingExhibition #ZanzibarArt #ContemporaryArt
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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.

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. 

Read More »

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.

Read More »

Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Facebook 

Follow Emerson Zanzibar Foundation on Facebook @Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation)

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@emersonZanizibar)

For other events and all that is happening in Stone Town see Social Media or our Whats Happening In Stone Town pages