Bulawayo Arts Awards announce BAA9 dates as the city’s creative community gets ready to nominate
BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE — The wait is over.
The road to the 9th edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards is officially open, with nominations set to open at 18:00 on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
For almost a decade the BAAs have provided a platform for Bulawayo and the wider Matabeleland creative community to recognise the people, productions and ideas shaping the region's arts landscape.
The ninth edition journey is now underway, with a new eligibility period covering creative works produced between 8 August 2025 and 21 September 2026.
Nominations will open on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Artists, creatives, industry practitioners and members of the public will all be able to submit nominations, both physically and online.
The nomination window remains open for one month, closing on 22 October 2026. From there the journey builds towards the nominees reveal on 6 November 2026, followed by the Nominees Dinner on 21 November 2026. The ninth edition culminates in the main awards ceremony on 28 November 2026.
BAA9: important dates
- Eligible works: 8 August 2025 – 21 September 2026
- Nominations open: 22 September 2026
- Nominations close: 22 October 2026
- Nominees reveal: 6 November 2026
- Nominees dinner: 21 November 2026
- Main awards ceremony: 28 November 2026
Since the inaugural ceremony in 2017, the awards have grown into one of the key dates on Bulawayo's cultural calendar. The first edition, held at the Large City Hall, attracted such a strong response that the venue was oversubscribed, with hundreds reportedly turned away. The ceremony also reached audiences beyond Zimbabwe through its online broadcast.
Over the years the BAAs have continued to evolve alongside the creative industry. Categories have grown to reflect how artists create, perform and reach audiences — from music, theatre and dance to literature, fashion, film, journalism, radio, online media and digital content.
More information will be shared as preparations progress.