A framework for knowledge sharing in the art world in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Knowledge sharing is a key facilitator of access and use of conventional knowledge in art mediation during engagement processes in the production, distribution and consumption of legitimate artworks in the art world. This study sought to ascertain the dynamics of knowledge sharing during artistic engagements in indigenous communities of practice. The study followed a phenomenology of practice research strategy. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, observations and document analysis. The data sources were purposively sampled using the maximum variation method. The main findings were that actants in indigenous communities of practice were artists, art collectors, art critics, art dealers, the art market, formal training institutions, cultural institutions and material suppliers. Knowledge sharing interactions took place during trainee mentorship and artists’ collaborative engagements through one-on-one consultations at the socialisation stage; advertising and marketing, branding, public presentations, participation in residency programmes, social networking, sculpting, teaching engagements, running workshops and compiling art reviews at the externalisation stage; art criticism, curatorship and mounting exhibitions during the combination stage and experimentation, model imitation and simulation activities at the internalisation stage. Recommendations are that the indigenous communities of practice should devise knowledge sharing strategies using the knowledge sharing framework developed in this research.