All over the world the existence of a National Gallery of Art projects an image of a proud nation, a nation that holds dear the works of art that have been produced over time that embody the history as well as local and international aesthetic values and talents.

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is no exception. Initially mooted for creation in Bulawayo during the thirties where the members of the Museums Association had their headquarters various collections were earmarked for loan to give the project a start. The outbreak of the war put a halt to the project but in 1943 Sir James McDonald bequeathed a large sum to actually build a Gallery in the then Salisbury.

In 1953 the Salisbury City Council identified and donated a site for the building and by the mid-50s a Director was appointed and plans to receive overseas collections on loan, develop and show local art and develop sound art education were developed. A competition to select the architectural design of the building was launched in 1954 and while the construction began in 1955, the shell was complete by the beginning of 1957. The Gallery was officially opened on 16 July with the presence of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother at the inaugural ceremony.

Throughout the colonial period the Gallery evolved into an arena for multi-culturalism and cross-cultural and racial exchanges. The local artists quickly found a medium through which to give substance to their creative skills and new work by local African artists caused quite an international sensation when first brought to the attention of the countries that were recognised as global centres of artistic excellence.

What started off as a wishful settler outpost soon provided the dynamic that was to rekindle a slumbering passion for creative pursuits that blossomed not long after the Gallery opened. Over the years the Gallery appealed to a variety of art lovers and patrons for loan of collections, art exchanges, administrative support funds as well as the creation of a library for the collecting and classification of art books.

At Independence, the Gallery remained the foremost institution for the promotion of art, spearheading art development, education and appreciation. In the first 21 years of the Gallery's existence it had staged over 100 exhibits and since 1980 some 400 shows have been organised.

The Gallery continues to attract a wide cross section of society and is able to appeal to various audiences through its choice of local, regional and international shows. Since the 1990s, the Gallery has been striving to encourage dynamism in the sector through the formal training of local artists and encouraging the development through various international collaborations that include exchanges, workshops as well as documentation and publications.

In addition the gallery has always exercised a system to reward excellence through a series of awards. The existence of the Gallery still says a lot about the values of the nation which through its continued support for the Gallery reflects an appreciation of artistic skill and expression which in turn contributes to a better quality of life, the stimulation of imagination which lead to greater inner peace, enjoyment of life and resourcefulness.

Fifty years later the Gallery is still going strong having consolidated its presence in the community alongside the National Museums and Monuments, the National Library and Archive facilities as institutions of collective memory, or preservation of various aspects of history and as showcases for contemporary expressions with an investment in the future of the country.

On its 50th anniversary the gallery is fortunate to have attracted a golden jubilee partner in the form of NMB Bank, a respectable and resilient player in the banking world that has stepped in and is offering much-needed financial support and solidarity for a variety of celebratory exhibitions and projects already running throughout the year.