International Partnership with Banana Club Artist Fund: Exploring Cross-Cultural Exchange Through Art

Ancient Rock Art Painting By the San People in Tsodilo Hills, Botswana.


At We Don’t Settle, we are always looking for ways to support young people and emerging artists while building partnerships that create meaningful, inclusive exchanges.

In 2024, with the support of a grant from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), we are explored a new international partnership with Banana Club Artist Fund (BCAF), a multidisciplinary creative studio based in Botswana. This collaboration focused on establishing connections and laying the groundwork for future cross-cultural projects between the UK and Botswana, with the aim of amplifying diverse voices and fostering deeper artistic engagement.

Fostering Connection Through Art

Art has long served as a catalyst for connection and understanding. Through our partnership with Banana Club, we’re excited to explore how art can illuminate and amplify the stories of communities that have been minoritised by societal systems and structures. By partnering and supporting the BCAF, we aim to facilitate meaningful dialogue that not only challenges perspectives but also inspires and deepens cultural connections.

This initiative is just the beginning of a broader journey. It’s a pilot project designed to lay the foundation for future collaborations, exhibitions, and sustained cultural exchange between the West Midlands and Southern Africa. Through this partnership, we aspire to build enduring bridges that foster creativity and understanding across borders.

A virtual glimpse into Botswana’s artistry: exploring care, memory, and queer joy

On 5th October 2024, we invited UK-based artists and art lovers to take part in an exclusive virtual experience, offering a rare glimpse into Botswana’s vibrant art scene. Through this online event, the artists engaged with powerful works of art that reflect themes of care, memory, and queer joy in contemporary African culture.

Art serves as a powerful vehicle for cultural connection, and this event bridged borders connecting UK artists with the rich artistry emerging from Southern Africa, while celebrating how creativity can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.

Exhibition in Botswana: “The Audacity of Queer Joy”

Following the virtual event, We Don’t Settle supported an exhibition hosted by Banana Club in Tlowkeng, Botswana. This exhibition, held at artist Mbako Kago Moemise’s family home, focused on “The Audacity of Queer Joy”, showcasing his powerful work and the art of other artists from Southern Africa.

This exhibition created a space where joy, resilience, and creative expression thrives in the face of adversity and highlighted the incredible talent emerging from Southern Africa, sparking further conversation about the role of art in shaping cultural narratives and preserving memories.

Why this partnership matters

For us, this partnership with Banana Club is about more than just a single event or exhibition. It’s about building a framework for long-term collaboration, supporting artists who challenge the status quo, and facilitating spaces where diverse voices can come together to learn, create, and grow. This means:

  • Cross-Cultural Artistic Exchange: We’re laying the groundwork for more events, exhibitions, and partnerships that continue to break down barriers between the UK and Southern Africa.
  • Supporting Artists: Through this partnership, we’re providing a platform for minoritised artists to explore their identities and share their stories with the world.
  • Expanding Horizons: Our vision is to develop this pilot into a larger initiative, securing additional funding to support more international exchanges, workshops, and cultural events in the years to come.

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