Privacy Policy &
Artist Protection

Introduction

ARTGALZIM CENTER ("we", "our", "the Gallery") is a contemporary art gallery and cultural hub located at Mverechena Business Center, Domboshava Road, Zimbabwe. We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of every visitor to our website, every artist we represent, and every collector or patron who engages with our services.

This Privacy Policy and Artist Protection Statement sets out the principles and practices that govern how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information. It also outlines the protections afforded to artists and their creative works in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.

By visiting our website, submitting an enquiry, or entering into any business relationship with ARTGALZIM CENTER, you agree to the terms described in this policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please refrain from using our services.

Information We Collect

We may collect personal information in the following ways:

• Contact & Enquiry Forms: Name, email address, phone number, and the contents of your message when you use our contact form or send us an email.
• Artwork Purchases & Offers: Billing name, address, and contact information when you make a purchase enquiry or offer on an artwork.
• WhatsApp Communication: When you reach out to us via WhatsApp, your phone number and message content are visible to our team for the purpose of responding to your enquiry.
• Artist Submissions: Portfolio images, biographical information, medium, pricing preferences, and contact details provided by artists seeking representation.
• Website Browsing: We may collect non-personally identifying data about how visitors interact with our website, such as pages visited and time spent, through standard website analytics tools.

We do not collect sensitive personal data (such as identity document numbers, financial account details, or health information) through this website.

How We Use Your Information

Information we collect is used solely for legitimate business purposes related to operating ARTGALZIM CENTER. Specifically, we use your information to:

• Respond to enquiries and provide the services you have requested.
• Process and communicate about artwork purchase offers and transactions.
• Notify you about upcoming exhibitions, events, and gallery news — only where you have given consent to receive such communications.
• Administer artist representation agreements and maintain our artist portfolio records.
• Improve the quality and content of our website and services.
• Comply with our legal obligations under Zimbabwean law.

We will never use your personal information for automated decision-making, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to our gallery operations without your explicit prior consent.

Data Protection & Security

ARTGALZIM CENTER takes the security of personal data seriously. We adopt reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect the information we hold from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

These measures include:

• Restricting access to personal data to authorised personnel only.
• Using secure, encrypted communication channels where applicable.
• Retaining personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy.
• Securely disposing of data that is no longer required.

While we strive to protect your personal information, no data transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is entirely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of any information transmitted to us through our website.

Artist Protection & Intellectual Property

ARTGALZIM CENTER is dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of every artist we work with. We recognise that artworks represent both the livelihoods and the cultural expressions of the creators who make them.

Our specific commitments to artists include:

• No Unauthorised Reproduction: We will never reproduce, print, or digitally distribute an artist's work without their explicit written consent, even if the physical artwork has been sold.
• Moral Rights Protection: Every artist retains their moral right of attribution. All artworks displayed — on our website or in our physical gallery — are credited to the artist by name.
• Image Rights: Photographs and digital images of artworks remain the intellectual property of the artist. We may display such images on this website for promotional purposes only, and solely with the artist's permission.
• Fair Representation: We commit to transparency in all sales transactions, disclosing commission terms clearly and paying agreed artist proceeds promptly.
• Integrity of Artwork: We will not modify, crop, alter, or distort an artist's work in any way that would harm their reputation or misrepresent the work's original intent.
• Confidentiality: An artist's unpublished works, pricing strategies, and personal or business information are treated as strictly confidential and are not shared with third parties without consent.

Zimbabwean Copyright Law

All artworks displayed in the ARTGALZIM CENTER gallery — whether physically exhibited or shown on this website — are protected by Zimbabwean intellectual property law. Visitors, collectors, and the general public are advised of the following:

• Photographing artworks in the gallery for personal, non-commercial use is permitted, subject to the artist's preferences as indicated on individual works.
• Using photographs of artworks for commercial purposes — including social media advertising, publications, or resale — is strictly prohibited without written permission from ARTGALZIM CENTER and the respective artist.
• Purchasing a physical artwork does not transfer copyright of that artwork. The buyer acquires the physical object only; the intellectual property remains with the artist.
• Any unauthorised reproduction or commercial use of copyrighted artworks may constitute an infringement under Zimbabwean law and may be subject to legal action.

ARTGALZIM CENTER is also committed to upholding the spirit of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 25:07], which promotes and protects Zimbabwean arts and cultural heritage.

Artwork Sales & Transactions

When you make an enquiry, offer, or purchase related to an artwork through ARTGALZIM CENTER, the following terms apply:

• Pricing: All prices displayed are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change without prior notice, though any confirmed transaction will honour the agreed price.
• Offers: All purchase offers submitted through our website are non-binding until confirmed in writing by both parties. Submitting an offer does not guarantee the availability of the artwork.
• Payment: Payment details and methods are discussed directly between the buyer and ARTGALZIM CENTER via email or WhatsApp. We do not collect payment information through this website.
• Certificate of Authenticity: All sold artworks are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, signed by the artist and the gallery director.
• Provenance: We maintain records of all transactions to support the provenance of artworks in compliance with international best practices for art commerce.

Third-Party Sharing

ARTGALZIM CENTER does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third parties for marketing purposes. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Artists: If you make an offer or enquiry about a specific artwork, we may share your contact details with the artist for the purpose of facilitating the transaction, with your implicit consent.
• Service Providers: We may share information with trusted service partners (e.g., website hosting, email services) who assist us in operating our gallery, under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Obligations: We may disclose personal information if required to do so by Zimbabwean law or by a lawful order of a competent authority.

Any third parties with whom we share data are required to handle it in accordance with applicable privacy standards.

Your Rights

As a person whose data we may process, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information we hold.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to any legal obligations we may have to retain it.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw your consent to receive marketing communications from us at any time.
• Objection: Object to our processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@artgalzim.com. We will respond to all requests within a reasonable timeframe.

Cookies & Website Usage

Our website may use standard browser technologies such as cookies or local storage to remember your preferences (for example, your theme setting — light or dark mode). These are functional, non-tracking technologies used solely to improve your browsing experience.

We do not currently use third-party advertising cookies or tracking pixels. Should we introduce such technologies in the future, this policy will be updated and you will be informed.

You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time; however, some features of the website may not function correctly without them.

Changes to This Policy

ARTGALZIM CENTER reserves the right to amend or update this Privacy Policy and Artist Protection Statement at any time. Any changes will be published on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

Your continued use of our website or services after any changes to this policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

Contact & Concerns

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy, about how we handle your personal information, or about the protection of artworks, please contact us through any of the following means:

• Email: info@artgalzim.com
• Phone / WhatsApp: +263 77 633 0869
• Physical Address: ARTGALZIM CENTER, Mverechena Business Center, Domboshava Road, Zimbabwe

We are committed to resolving any concerns promptly and in good faith. If you are an artist and believe your rights or copyright have been infringed, please contact us immediately so that we may take corrective action.