What We Do
Eastern Cape
Art Voice
One of the key motivations behind the establishment of VANSA was for the organisation to act as a voice for the sector, consulting with people working in the visual arts on the big issues that affect them, and lobbying government and the corporate sector on how they might help. This can be a tough task in a sector built around the creative work of individuals. Nevertheless, we remain committed to finding smart ways to identify, understand and tackle the issues that matter. Without just producing a loud noise...
We are currently undertaking research in a number of areas where we think that there may be potential to constructively engage with government, including copyright collection, artist resale rights, incentives and schemes for the provision of low cost studio and work space space and international representation at contemporary art fairs and the like. See our Research page for more info.
The National/Gauteng office is planning a series of industry networking events and discussion forums during the course of 2011 together with our Western Cape and KZN offices, provisionally titled “A New Agenda for the Visual Arts” – aimed at getting industry people in the same room as government, and facilitating constructive conversation about key issues, industry needs and opportunities for better communication and greater collaboration between government and the sector.
We are also looking at developing an on-line forum that will incorporate space for thoughtful discussion and debate on key issues that impact on our sector, from funding and sponsorship through to transformation and freedom of expression.
VANSA is collaborating with Arterial Network South Africa to encourage a strong and coherent sector response to the National Lottery Board's recent call for input on the priorities for Lottery funding. Please do take a few minutes to go through this post and make a submission - please make sure that you use the NLB's return slip format (follow the link below); it's quick and easy. If you're an arts organisation - whether eligible for Lottery funding or not - please make a submission!
In order to be more responsive to your needs and interests, we need to know what you think about what VANSA does, and your views on being a member of the organisation. The survey is entirely anonymous, and should not take more than five minutes of your time.
The following statement on the current position of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund has been prepared for submission to the National Lotteries Board (NLB) and the Minister of Trade and Industry in the context of the upcoming National Consultative Conference on the NLDTF convened by the NLB, on the 20th and 21st of June at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Gauteng.
South Africa Lottery, an Open Letter by Ralph Freese: "I am deeply concerned – or more accurately, sick, tired and angry – about the failure of the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) and the National Lotteries Board (NLB) to live up to their mandate."
The Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA) notes with some concern the unfolding controversy relating to the representation of South Africa at the Venice Biennale.
