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ABOUT VANSA CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT DIRECTOR’S REPORT ECOSYSTEM REPORT VANSA MEMBERS VANSA PARTNERS VANSA PEOPLE VANSA PROGRAMMES FINANCIAL REPORT
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ABOUT VANSA WHO WE ARE VANSA operates as a support point and development agency for contemporary art practice in South Africa. We develop industry knowledge, resources, –– networks and projects that are concerned with realising new social, cultural and economic possibilities for contemporary art practice in the South African–and wider African–context. VANSA is a national network of artists and arts organisations with over 6000 members that works to support and develop knowledge and resources for artistic practice in South Africa.
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VISION VANSA aspires to be a dynamic and resilient network-based organisation operating as a key support point for contemporary art practice in South Africa.
MISSION Our mission is the promotion of growth, transformation and opportunity in the contemporary art field in South Africa through the development of projects and services shaped by and delivering benefit to our network.
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The organisation works with and through a local, continental and international network of visual arts professionals, businesses, organisations, institutions and agencies on initiatives and projects across five key areas: 1. strengthening informational networks 2. promoting better professional and business practice 3. facilitating opportunities for new approaches to contemporary art practice, in new contexts with new audiences and publics 4. opening up new market opportunities for contemporary art in South Africa 5. lobbying and advocacy in all of the above areas, informed by research and evidence
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VALUES VANSA is committed to: INNOVATION
FAIRNESS
ACCESS
TRANSPARENCY
INCLUSIVITY
in its organisational practices. We seek to maximise synergy and partnership with other organisations, institutions and entities, and activate joint actions between stakeholders in areas of common interest and concern.
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CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT RESILIENCE THROUGH RADICAL SHIFTS The 2020/21 year was a year marked with great and radical shifts in what we do and how we do it. We undertook some of our most ambitious programmes all whilst grappling with a life-threatening crisis. Through it all, the word that comes to mind is resilience, the ability to not only survive but to learn, grow and thrive even in the most turbulent times. We said goodbye to the Board Chairperson, Tanisha Bhana and Board members Songezile Madikida and Dee Marco as well as welcomed three new
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members to the VANSA Board and formalised the roles and responsibilities within the board with Gabrielle Goliath as Deputy Chairperson, Kwanele Thusi as Treasurer, Thabo Makgolo as Secretary and Beathur Mgoza Baker on the Board. We also bade farewell to Network Programmes Manager, Katlego Taunyane and intern Norma Moropodi and we wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavours. We moved to our new home - LAPA -, an experimental platform in partnership with the Goethe-Institut and undertook some of our most ambitious programmes,
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radically shifting our understanding of resources, sharing, collaboration and solidarity. Through our community and deeply intertwined ecosystem, we have embarked on a collective journey towards strengthening sustainability. Next year, we will be celebrating 15 years of VANSA’s existence, a phenomenal achievement in collective praxis and cultural impact. I am proud and honoured to be part of this team. VANSA continues to be relevant and impactful due to the support of its members. We all are VANSA and VANSA will continue into the next 15 years with all our commitment and support. Nothando Mkhize VANSA Chairperson
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DIRECTOR’S REPORT THE TREE THAT GROWS IN TWO DIRECTIONS Much of VANSA’s work over the last financial year has been growth and development in two directions. Like a tree, VANSA has strengthened and deepened its roots and foundation, reaching out to its community and solidifying its base, growing deeper, in often less visible but equally important ways. VANSA has also expanded its branches and reach and grown in expansive, powerful and visible ways which have augmented our work and made the work we do more visible and legible.
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We have strengthened our local and global partnerships, expanding our idea of shared resources, collaboration and what it means to exist within and serve a network. We have been challenged in how we work and held accountable by and to our members, through it all, we have emerged stronger, more resilient, more caring and connected. Our members and our values have been the guiding light and compass illuminating the work we need to do and how we can be more responsive to the community we serve. These values drive us internally and externally and contribute towards the attainment of our
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vision and mission. Our values help us navigate our path and make decisions that impact our community. Our ethos of inclusivity, equal and equitable access and participation runs through the entire organisation and continues to be evident in our three pillars of Decentralisation, Study and Professional Access. Our Board, staff, service providers, partners, collaborators and programming thus reflect our continued effort to create a fairer, just, diverse, inclusive and equitable visual arts sector which recognises the injustices of the past and actively works to dismantle them.
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Over the 2020/21 period, we experimented and expanded the idea of Decentralisation. We moved out our space, worked virtually, then through collaboration and relationship building, developed a new home, LAPA, in Brixton, Johannesburg - a space and residency co-conceptualised to address the need for communal space and art infrastructure within Johannesburg which promotes regional exchange in Africa and representing new opportunities for mutual learning, growth
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and change. We engaged with our communities across talks, workshops, research, lobbying and advocacy. Throughout, we recognised the importance of self and collective care and launched the Take Care platform and also gave ourselves a mid-year organisational care break. I am especially proud and grateful for the phenomenal team that keeps VANSA going, Lauren von Gogh, Tokologo Mphaki and Katlego Taunyane who
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sadly left the team earlier this year. The commitment, passion and dedication of the VANSA team and Board is aweinspiring and I’m honoured to serve alongside them. As we look forward towards the next year, we remain committed to collectively developing the visual arts and creative community. Refilwe Nkomo
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ECOSYSTEM REPORT The VANSA ecosystem refers to the interconnectedness and cycles of networks and programmes that make up the VANSA ecosystem and community. This year, we leaned deeply into our community as we collectively navigated the new normal. The following pages give insight into the many parts of our ecosystem and the community who make VANSA possible.
VANSA MEMBERS VANSA is a membership-based organisation based on a participatory network model. Its primary programmes are driven by member interests, needs
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and future objectives. Membership is tiered, open and accessible with options for free membership which is especially important given the levels of inequality in the country. Members receive access to detailed information, opportunities, services, workshops, tools and resources. Our almost 6000 strong membership is the basis upon which we are able to negotiate for better services and policies and continue to lobby and advocate for systemic change within the sector. Many people however still connect to the work of VANSA without being members and many of those who connect with VANSA are not strictly within the visual arts
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sector. It is encouraging to know that the work VANSA does resonates with organisations, institutions and individuals across the creative ecosystem and not only within the visual arts. VANSA strives to remain accessible and simultaneously sustainable. Strengthening the contributions and participation of our members is imperative to ensure greater sustainability of the organisation and the sector overall. The number of paid members represents
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the biggest threat to VANSA’s continued existence as the work is only possible with the support of members. Whilst overall membership has grown, paid membership has decreased. We know that members value the work VANSA does and see VANSA as an important part of the sector, however this does not translate to paid membership indicating a disconnect in communications and a mismatch in the value proposition. In order for VANSA to continue to provide services to the sector, paid membership and participation needs to increase.
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COMMUNICATIONS Communications form the foundation of our network. This year, we were able to transition to ensure a specific HR role was dedicated to communications and Tokologo Mphaki was promoted to Communications Officer at VANSA, driving community online engagement and ensuring we are able to engage with members across the network. The majority of our communications is online - a highly frequented website and active social media presence. Since the onset of Covid-19, the website saw increased frequency of visits and overall
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engagement with VANSA. Our most frequently visited page continued to be the Covid-19 Resource Page for Artists and Organisations which we developed as a response to the effects of the lockdown and the precarious situation artists and arts organisations were flung into. VANSA’s social media and especially Facebook have received a steady increase in followers. Facebook remains our most popular social media platform and the place where we connect to most of our members. In 2020, VANSA took part in the Facebook Community Accelerator program and strengthened
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its virtual community in a time when we could not gather in person. VANSA developed a steadily growing Facebook group reaching 5000 members in 8 months, with an engagement rate of 95%. In addition to our bi-monthly newsletter which reaches nearly 7000 subscribers, we increased our online presence by establishing a presence on Instagram, developing WhatsApp accessibility and substantially increasing our engagement on Twitter to ensure members have multiple ways to reach and engage with us and with each other.
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13000 12000
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MEMBERSHIPS
Membership growth on VANSA’s database & Facebook ‘likes’ over the last 5 years
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150 000 125 000
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2019
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2017
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Website users per annum
656 Instagram Followers
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Facebook Group
Twitter Followers
VANSA social media platforms 2021
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VANSA PARTNERS Shared resources and shared economies have formed the basis of our unlearning and tooling in our relationships with our partners. Partners listed here are the core partners who enable us to continue doing the work we are doing, primarily through funding but also through knowledge, support and expansion of our networks. These partners are key to the health of the VANSA ecosystem.
Public Sector
Arts and Culture Trust (ACT), Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), Cathsseta, Constitution Hill, Department of Small
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Business and Development, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, National Arts Council (NAC), National Museum
Non-Profit Sector
Artist Proof Studio, Market Photo Workshop, Thirdspace
Private Sector
RMB, Tshikululu Social Investments, Investec, Norton Rose Fulbright
International
Arts Collaboratory, Centre d’Art Waza, Doen, EUNIC, Prins Claus, Goethe Institut, Ishyo Arts, Mondriaan Fonds
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VANSA PEOPLE The people who work with VANSA on a regular basis are its board, staff, short term project managers, assistants, various freelance individuals and interns. This group of people shifts and changes according to the workload and abilities of the team. Our board is made up of a dedicated team of volunteers who meet in person four to six times a year to oversee the core governance issues of the organisation.
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Refilwe Nkomo (Director)
Katlego Taunyane (Network Programmes Manager)
Lauren von Gogh (Network Programmes Manager)
Tokologo Mphaki (Communications Officer)
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Project managers, assistants and affiliates Charlotte Gulle, Chepape Makgato, Fleur de Bondt , Gcobisa Ndzimande, Gugulethu Mayisela, Ijeoma UcheOkeke, Joao Roxo, Lara Koseff, Laurent Chauvet, Londi Modiko, Maia Marie, Michaela Limberis, Michael Griffiths, Mika Conradie, Molemo Moiloa, Mulalo Tshikalange, Omphemetse Ramathlatse, Robyn Cook, Russel Hlongwane, Tammy Langtry, Thato Mogotsi, Tinashe Mushakavanhu
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VANSA Board Nothando Mkhize (Board Chairperson) was born in kwaMsane, Northern KwaZulu-Natal in 1986. She is currently doing her MA in Fine Art at Durban University of Technology. She is an education officer at the Durban Art Gallery under eThekwini Municipality and an executive member of the KwaZulu-Natal Arts & Culture Counsel. Previously she co-founded the Zululand Crafters Association and was an art programme manager at iSimangaliso Wetland Park which is one of only two world heritage sites in South Africa. Nothando is passionate about the holistic
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development of arts as a viable vehicle for social transformation and economic development. Gabrielle Goliath (Deputy Board Chairperson) situates her practice within contexts marked by the races, disparities and as-of-yet unreconciled traumas of colonialism and apartheid, as well as socially entrenched structures of patriarchal power and rape-culture. Enabling opportunities for affective, relational encounters, she seeks to resist the violence through which black, brown, feminine, queer and vulnerable bodies are routinely fixed through forms of representation. Gabrielle has exhibited
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widely and has won a number of awards including a Future Generation Art Prize/ Special Prize (2019), the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award (2019), as well as the Institut Français, Afrique en Créations Prize at the Bamako Biennale (2017). Her work features in numerous public and private collections. Gabrielle is currently a Ph.D. candidate with the Institute for Creative Arts at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Thabo Makgolo (Secretary) has over 14 years of combined experience in the creative industries, social innovation, and higher education sectors, Thabo K. Makgolo is a graduate of the University
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of Cape Town and Tshwane University of Technology and has worked as a performer, producer, advocate, and administrator in the creative industries and performing arts sectors. A recent addition to the Distell’s Fleur du Cap Theatre Panel since 2019, he is also a trained marketing executive who regularly consults on a number of wideranging projects through his Consultancy based in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Most recently with the UCT Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing as a Researcher and recently completed a chapter for an open-source textbook “Marketing to South African Consumers” to make education more accessible and
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is a member of advisory boards within the Creative Industries and Education sector. Kwanele Thusi (Treasurer) began working extensively in Dance and Education in 2013, beginning as an intern at the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, teaching in the Arts Department at Sacred Hearts College, and finally becoming the Performance Project Lecturer at Wits University and Drama For Life Johannesburg. He has created an innovative and inspiring body of work and workshops I have also performed in numerous local and international festivals. Finch also works extensively
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in research and theory and has written a paper titled The Performance of Masculinity: Gay Male Choreographers in South Africa. Currently, Finch is the Independent Director of Kwanele Global Collective, which is a private company that contributes to achieving quality education for young creatives and athletes. He is also the Movement Coach for JIVA Netflix original series and a celebrity personal trainer. Beathur Mgoza Baker is the founder of Madlozi Art, Film & Heritage Africa. She is an independent art curator, gallerist, filmmaker, and cultural producer from South Africa, active across the African
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continent and its diaspora internationally. Her primary focus has been fostering narratives that build positive identities and are grounded in de-coloniality and consolidating African heritage and art as collaborations and exhibition platforms between countries to build the sector and grow audiences and an awareness of our history and rich visual culture on the content. Beathur is also a seasoned filmmaker, content editor and producer, and creative/cultural entrepreneur with extensive experience in the design and growth of cultural businesses and social/community development and participation. She has worked in cultural development and production and her
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work across platforms embodies the values of education, access creation, and using art to foster projects and agency toward decoloniality and dignity, enabling artists, and engaging audiences around critical histories and contemporary geopolitical, social, and cultural histories and narratives. In and about Africa.
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VANSA PROGRAMMES VANSA programmes make up the core of our ecosystem – people, places and objectives on which we collectively work. The programmes discussed here which took place over the past financial year have been arranged by programme areas which centre the work VANSA does. A lot of invisible work is also done in between these visible programmes, from research to advocacy and lobbying,
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sharing opportunities and resources, the newsletters collated and distributed twice a month, to answering many calls a day to give information to those who need it, drop-ins who come to use our wifi, library or other support, and the many partners who use our equipment and space. The following key programmes, though interconnected and often multi-valued, are arranged according to the following key areas:
Decentralisation
VANSA works with arts organisations and individuals across the country with the aim to support independent practice outside of the main city centres, as well
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as with partners across the African continent.
Study
Study integrates learning from members and others to better develop VANSA processes and programmes, and encourages self- and co-learning for creative practitioners and for the organisation itself. This serves as the key evaluative core of the organisation.
Professional access
VANSA provides information for its members. These are opportunities and industry information through its online media, as well as research-based content
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which we collate and make accessible to our membership. Professional access also includes various research projects to better equip ourselves, our membership and various other players with knowledge to make targeted interventions for the betterment of the sector. Our research focuses on market issues, sector professionalisation issues and policy issues.
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VANSA TIMELINE 20/21 June 2020 VANSA moves out of Constitution Hill and launches virtual office
August 2020
August 2020
Women’s Month Discussion in partnership with Latitudes Art Fair, Between 10&5 and Madlozi Art
RMB Talent Unlocked
September 2020 Creative Responses to GBV Learning Exchange with IMPACT
October 2020 VANSA launches VANSA Ambassadors programme
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Septe
Jackie Karut Groh
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VANSA launch
July 2020
July 2020
VANSA joins Facebook Community Accelerator Programme in partnership with Global Giving
VANSA launches its own YouTube channel
August 2020
August 2020
Care and Connect Mental Health Virtual Workshops with BASA
24 Hour Pageant with Art Meets and Greatmore Studios
ember 2020
ti awarded Henrike hs Art Award
tober 2020
hes Facebook Group
September 2020 Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize Discussion
October 2020 Presence/Conflict/Transformation with A4 Arts Foundation, Theerta and Visual Voices
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VANSA TIMELINE 20/21 November 2020
November 2020
4th Boda Boda Lounge continental video art festival
Banking with Art Presidential Economic Stimulus Internship programme with DSAC & Art Bank
February 2021 VANSA moves to LAPA with the Goethe Institut
March 2021 Human Rights Festival commissioned artwork installed at Constitution Hill
April 2021 VANSA launches Take Care platform
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De
Songe Dee M V
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Award visua
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Inaugural V Fellows
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NewNowN partnership
ecember 2020
ezile Madikida and Marco resign from VANSA Board
January 2021
ded 5 bursaries to al artists through Cathsseta
arch 2021
VANSA Archiving ship launched
April 2021
Next Art award in p with Galerie Noko
December 2020
December 2020
VANSA Ambassadors organise Donna Kukama Artist Talk
VANSA Ambassadors organise 12 Hour Pageant
January 2021
January 2021
Internship programme with Lovedale TVET college and Cathsseta
Thabo Makgolo, Beathur Mgoza Baker and Kwanele Thusi join the VANSA Board
March 2021 Katlego Taunyane leaves VANSA
April 2021 VANSA launches Instagram page
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VANSA TIMELINE 20/21 May 2021
May 2021
Virtual professional skills development workshops
LAPA launches open call for PanAfrican residency
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May 2021
May 2021
VANSA takes its first mid year self-care organisational break
VANSA Chairperson, Tanisha Bhana resigns from the VANSA Board and Nothando Mkhize is elected as the new VANSA Chairperson
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DECENTRALISATION VANSA works with arts organisations and individuals across the country with the aim to support independent practice outside of the main city centres, as well as with partners across the African continent.
DECENTRALISATION SNAPSHOT 10 Virtual Skills Development Workshops reaching attended by over 200 participants 61 Interns placed across 24 partner organisations 4 Students awarded bursaries to continue their studies in the visual arts 112 entries, 16 final artists and collectives
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featured in Boda Boda Lounge 2020 across 22 art and cultural spaces across the African continent. 12 VANSA Ambassadors from 8 provinces across SA
Internship Programme Banking with Art As a response to the deep and corrosive effects that Covid-19 has had on the country, the Presidential Economic Stimulus Package was conceived to stimulate employment across many
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sectors. VANSA in partnership with Art Bank and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture ran the “Banking with Art - Visual Art Graduate/Emerging Artist Placement Programme placing 56 interns in employment opportunities across 23 partner organisations across the country for a period of 4 months. Cathsseta Internship Programme VANSA placed an additional 5 interns at Lovedale TVET College in the Eastern Cape for a period of 18 months where
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they engaged in skills development and mentorship. Partners: Galerie Noko, Lisahluma, Wandile Fine Arts, Rootz Art Gallery, William Humphreys Art Gallery, Polokwane Arts Museum, North West Museum Committee, The Island Gallery, DUT Arts Gallery, Curate a Space, KZNSA Gallery, Oliewenhuis Museum, Lana Coetzee, Free State Arts Festival, Cyan Development Concepts, Association for Visual Arts, Greatmore Studios, Baz Art, Bag Factory, National School of the Arts, Indoni Art Entertainment, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Museum Store Africa, Ms Simone
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Boda Boda Lounge The 4th edition of Boda Boda Lounge titled “,now bite the hand that feeds you” took place from 20-11-2020 till 22-112020. Curated by thirdspace, which is a collaboration of Joao Roxo (Maputo, Mozambique) and Russel Hlongwane (Durban, South Africa), this edition was hosted by 22 art and cultural spaces across the African continent. A total of seven AC members were part of the project.
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The call for applications was spread throughout Africa and the world inviting video art, projection mapping, immersive animations and other forms of experimental works. We received a total of 112 entries by artists across almost 25 countries. The final list includes 16 artists and artist collectives from the African continent and its diaspora. Selected applications were put forward for intracontinental screening and exhibition programming. Partners: thirdspace, Centre d’art Waza (Lubumbashi, DRC), 32°East, Ugandan Art Trust (Kampala, Uganda), Ba re e ne re, (Maseru, Lesotho), Centre Soleil
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D’Afrique, (Bamako, Mali), Anima (Maputo, Mozambique), IICD Center (Abuja, Nigeria), Ishyo Arts Center (Kigali, Rwanda), Ker Thiossane (Dakar, Senegal), Kin Art Studio, (Kinshasa, DRC), La Teinturerie Association d’artistes (Antananarivo, Madagascar), Mahal Art Space (Tangier, Morocco), Modzi Arts (Lusaka, Zambia), Nafasi Art Space (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), Nubuke Foundation (Accra, Ghana), Parenthesis (Praia, Cape Verde), Raw Material Company (Dakar, Senegal), Retro Africa Gallery (Abuja, Nigeria), Yebo Contemporary Art Gallery (Manzini, Eswatini), Yole Africa (Goma, DRC), Espace Yo Na Nga (Kinshasa, DRC),
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Vernacular Art-space Laboratory (Lagos, Nigeria). Virtual Skills Development Workshops Online skills development workshops were held via Zoom providing critical skills to creatives in the sector to advance their career and practice as a whole. The workshops were attended by over 200 participants. These workshops continue VANSA’s focus and commitment to transformation and system change through access, opportunities and empowerment on an individual and community level.
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Artists/Facilitators: Tokologo Mphaki, Chepape Khehla Makgato, Gugu Mayisela, Thato Mogotsi, Gcobisa Ndzimande
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Workshop Feedback “I would simply like to thank the experts in the field and VANSA for creating this opportunity for us creative peeps.” - Workshop participant “I found the professional practice workshop to be insightful, well-structured and useful. It was refreshing to hear the facilitators’ stories on how the art world works and what you need to do to put your best foot forward.”
- Workshop Participant
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Mental Health Workshops With the support of Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), VANSA hosted virtual mental health workshops for 22 of BASA’s Scale-Up Alumni programme. The 4-part workshop series took place on virtual platforms due to Covid-19 restrictions and were facilitated by Maia Marie, Mulalo Tshikalange and Lauren von Gogh.
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Artists/Partners: Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), Maia Marie, Mulalo Tshikalange, Lauren von Gogh VANSA Ambassadors Through the Facebook Community Accelerator programme, VANSA was able to pilot an Ambassador Programme aimed at decentralising VANSA’s work and deepening community engagement. 12 ambassadors were selected from 8 provinces and produced 2 virtual public engagements as well as supported work within their communities.
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Partners/Creatives: Gcotyelwa Mashiqa, Joan Mogalamitlwa, Vuyisile Bentile, Njabulo Zulu, Matshepo Thibudi, John Anthony Berma, Deanne Feneysey, Pheelo Rasello, Pyda Nyariri, Zama , Khutso Mmethi, Mandie Immelman, Bulelani Booi VANSA Bursaries VANSA in partnership with Cathsseta awarded 4 bursaries to four visual arts professionals. The programme aims to diversify capacity in the visual arts sector and strengthen and support the sector through education and knowledge exchange.
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Artists/Partners: Cathsseta, Khulekani Cele, Luvuyo Nyawose, Mhlonishwa Chiliza, Nobuntu Mhlambi Portfolio Reviews During lockdown, Stevenson, together with the VANSA, offered a limited number of portfolio reviews. Artists with a comprehensive body of work were invited to submit their portfolios for review by Stevenson staff. An online exhibition titled The Nonrepresentational was curated by Stevenson staff and went live in early September 2020. Artists/Partners: Stevenson Gallery,
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Curators: Lemeeze Davids and Dineo Diphofa. Artists: Boitumelo Motau, Callan Grecia, Celimpilo Mazibuko, Heinrich Minnie, Io Makandal, Lebogang Mogul Mabusela, Londiwe Mtshali, Nico Athene, Nonkululeko Dube, Motlhoki Nono, Tshepiso Mabula, Valerie Asiimwe Amani STUDY Study integrates learning from members and others to better develop VANSA processes and programmes and encourages self and co-learning for creative practitioners and for the
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organisation itself. This serves as the key evaluative core of the organisation. STUDY SNAPSHOT 9 VANSA Virtual Talks Moved into new artistic home - LAPA Launched LAPA Pan African Residency Over 400 participants in Creative Responses to GBVF: Learning Exchange Arts Collaboratory Arts Collaboratory (AC) is a translocal ecosystem consisting of 25 diverse organisations around the world focused on art practices, processes of social
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change, and working with broader communities beyond the field of art. In our ecosystem knowledge and strengths are brought together and harvested in processes of collective organization. It is a radical experiment in exploring the potentiality of art and social transformation. Partners: 32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust, Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art, Art Group 705, Ashkal Alwan, Casa Tres Patios, Casco, Centre Soleil d’Afrique, Cráter Invertido,
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DARB 1718, Doen Foundation, Doual’art, Kër Thiossane, Kiosko, KUNCI Cultural Studies Center, lugar a dudas, Más Arte Más Acción, Nubuke Foundation, Platohedro, Raw Material Company, Riwaq, ruangrupa, TEOR/éTica, Theertha, Centre d’art Waza VANSA Talks The Covid-19 pandemic flung us into the virtual realm, whilst for everyone’s health and safety, we could not meet physically, we took the opportunity to engage with our community in different ways, meeting in the virtual space. We launched a Youtube channel to help facilitate these
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engagements. From VANSA Perspectives to 12 and 24 Hour Pageants, whilst we missed seeing in person, VANSA has firmly embraced the virtual community and landscape. Partners/Artists: Molemo Moiloa, Kabelo Malatsie, Joseph Gaylard, Thato Mogotsi, Naadira Patel, Mika Conradie, Masimba Sasa, Art Meets, Reneilwe Mathibe, Heidi Mielke, Lindo Zwane, Cintia Binene Sifa, Angelique Bougaard, Kim Berman, The Lockdown Collection, Artist Proof Studio, Greatmore Studios, Madlozi Art, Sharlene Khan, Makgati Molebatsi, Palesa Motsumi, Sara Hallett, Nonstokolo Mhlotshana, Scott Eric Williams.
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Creative Responses to GBVF: Learning Exchange VANSA along with 11 other global organisations conveneed a collective dialogue in the form of a virtual Learning Exchange between practitioners in the Arts, Culture and Conflict Transformation ecosystem (ACCT). The dialogue featured over 400 participants over 3 days and focused on Creative Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Africa and was designed for artists, cultural workers, art and social transformation workers, practitioners of conflict transformation processes,
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researchers, academics, donors, officials and public policy makers working in this field. Partners: Amani ́s People ́s Theater, Dafadoy Collective against Violence against Women and Children; Heforshe, IMPACT, Just Associates, Noon Creative Enterprise, Partners Network Senegal, Search for Common Ground, Senegalese Council of Arts, Shayisfuba Feminist Collective and The Timbuktu Center for Peace Studies
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Presence/Conflict/Transformation? A transnational experimental engagement involving three other partner engagements where artists engaged in a virtual cultural exchange programme focusing on Presence, Conflict and Transformation. Artists/ Partners: A4 Arts Foundation(South Africa), Theertha (Sri Lanka), Visual Voices (Cyprus), Pırıl Torgut, Zoe Polycarpou, Ronald Muchatuta, Nikita Keogotsitse, Rupaneethan Pakkiyarajah, Varanga De Silva
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PROFESSIONAL ACCESS VANSA provides information for its members. These are opportunities and industry information through its online platforms as well as researchbased content which we collate and make accessible to our membership. Professional access also includes various research projects to better equip ourselves, our membership and various other partners and stakeholders with knowledge to make our strategic and targeted interventions for the development and betterment of the sector. Our research focuses on market issues, sector professionalisation and
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policy issues. We provide access to professional practice toolkits and many opportunities including employment, funding and competitions. PROFESSIONAL ACCESS SNAPSHOT 345 opportunities shared 307 arts and cultural spaces mapped on the Art Map Opportunities VANSA is committed to opening up the sector and ensuring everyone has access to opportunities to develop themselves, their careers and practice and their
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communities. We collect, compile and share up to the minute opportunities, including employment, funding and other open calls, from the arts sector in South Africa, Africa, and the rest of the world. From June 2020 - May 2021 we shared: 345 OPPORTUNITIES: 36 Competitions 14 Bursaries & Education Opportunities 121 Employment Opportunities 32 Funding Opportunities 17 Professional Practice Opportunities 125 Other Open Calls
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Art Map Mapping offers us an important democratising and emancipatory tool, by ensuring smaller, often underrepresented spaces are recognised, acknowledged and visible. The Art Map website gives an overview of a wide cross-section of key organisations and institutions including museums, galleries, alternative art spaces, magazines, events, development organisations and tertiary institutions.
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12 Art Media organisations 12 Art auction houses 14 Development agencies 94 Art Galleries 41 Museums/ Collections 17 Support agencies 23 Art schools 20 Art consultancies 16 events/festivals 49 Independent platforms 9 Precincts/hubs
Artright The Artright project provides the visual arts community of South Africa with a free resource of business, legal and educational tools, documents,
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information and advice. The objective is for people who work in and around the visual arts industry to do better business, more often. VANSA Organising Handbook VANSA Governance Handbook Shared Practice VANSA Internship Toolkit Best Practice Guide for the Visual Arts
In addition to the above toolkits, VANSA launched Take Care Mental Health toolkit and will launch an Archiving Toolkit and a Tax for Artists toolkit in the coming year.
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Archiving Fellowship With the support of the National Arts Council, VANSA launched our inaugural Archiving Fellowship. Alongside an archivist, the fellow will be developing a toolkit for artists and arts organisations with a focus on archiving and presentation techniques of their histories and legacies for present and future generations. The goal of this project is to preserve, present and protect
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the archival heritage and memory of South African artists, collectives and arts organisations in order to develop more equitable and inclusive archives. The project anchors VANSA’s dedication to expanded forms of knowledge and cultural production. Artists/ Partners: National Arts Council, Omphemetse Ramathlatse, Tinashe Mushakavanhu Art Rights Public Art Installation An exciting collaboration with Constitution Hill titled Art Right, a short term public art installation featuring
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works from four contemporary artists and accompanied by artist spotlights shared on our Youtube platform. This collaboration forms part of the Constitution Hill’s 2021 Human Rights Festival. This project examines the intersection of arts and human rights with public artworks which explore themes of access, agency, connection, individual and collective life, nature, the ecological connection between animals, environment and humans, labour and the right to life. Artist/Partners: Constitution Hill, Cow Mash, Mr Ekse, Oratile Konopi, Keneilwe Mokoena.
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Take Care A project and platform dedicated to cultivating radical care and enabling a conducive environment for open dialogue, awareness and support on mental health in the Visual Arts in South Africa. Because care and mental health are issues that affect us all, through a multifaceted approach inclusive of research, podcasts, interactive workshops and an empowering toolkit, we aim to shift and mainstream the conversation and actions around mental health. Please visit the website here for more information and all the amazing resources: https://www.vansatake.care/.
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RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY A significant proportion of VANSA’s work involves research, advocacy and lobbying. As a data rich organisation, much of our programming, tools and resources are founded upon the research we do and the advocacy and lobbying our research empowers us to do. Some research and advocacy highlights: Ongoing research into mental health in the visual arts sector. Submission to the Copyright Amendment Bill. Submission to Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) for Relief Funding for
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the creative sector Submission to the National Arts Council (NAC) for revised strategy and engagement with the creative sector Lobbied NAC on behalf of members who had the funding revoked. Successfully lobbied DSAC for Covid-19 relief funding for the creative sector In partnership with the Copyright Coalition, we co-hosted a Copyright and Intellectual Property Info Session presented by Elroy Bell. Along with civil society and cultural organization partners, we lobbied for relief funding for the creative sector and increases in the Presidential Economic Stimulus Package. We contributed significantly to the Department of Small Business and Development (DSBD) and Department of
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Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Creative Industries Masterplan Reference Group Co-chair of the DSBD Visual Art, Craft and Design Working Group.
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FINANCIAL REPORT VANSA is a non-profit public benefit organisation that relies primarily on fundraising for its ongoing work. VANSA does not have any ongoing funds but rather short-term contracts with different funders from around the world that are specific to the projects we apply for. VANSA maintains a stringent accounting process and follows good financial governance principles. The following is some of the key financial information from our Annual Financial Statements. The financial report includes a series of graphs to illustrate the ways in which VANSA’s funds are spent and very clearly demonstrates the value that
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VANSA brings to the sector with more than two thirds of the VANSA budget going directly to the betterment of the sector. Together with our auditors TJ Botha Spanenberg Inc., we made changes to how we report on finances in order for them to be more accurate. We will continue to gradually put in place better and more consistent financial reporting processes.
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h Africa Visual Arts Network of South Africa
(Registration number: 055-622-NPO) ay 2021 Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2021
Detailed Income Statement
2021 Detailed Income Statement Note(s) R
2020 R
Revenue Donation income 4,024,580 Membership fees, sales and other income 39,109
2,225,141 155,347
4,063,689
2,380,488
Operating expenses Accounting fees 120,000 Auditors remuneration 8,855 Bank charges 13,283 Computer expenses 1,400 Depreciation, amortisation and impairments 5,806 Donations 30,200 Employee costs 986,462 Insurance 4,057 Office communication 12,582 Office expenses 22,179 Project costs 2,336,337 Rent and utilities 24,197 Travel -
120,000 11,339 9,802 842,792 14,224 25,177 86,858 1,264,111 37,192 9,833
3,565,358
2,421,328
6
Operating profit (loss) Investment income Finance costs
10 11
Surplus (shortage) for the year
498,331 61,110 (369)
(40,840) 75,443 (9,767)
60,741
65,676
559,072
24,836
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N
Notes to Income Statement
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32% 68%
VANSA salaries Fees and wages paid to sector as part of projects
Direct contribution to livelihoods
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33.1% 66.9%
VANSA running costs Projects
Cost of running as compared to output: total R 3 535 558,00
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10% 88%
Monies to production costs Monies to professional individuals in the sector Monies to travel and associated costs
Breakdown of project costs
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00
05
10
15
20
25
Income for 2021 (%)
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30
35
Sundry Income Donor Income BASA Membership Fees Cathsseta Prince Claus Foundation Constitusion Hill RMB NAC Global Giving Goethe Institut Doen National Museum
0.12 0.28 0.82 0.84 1.1 1.17 2.46 5.26 6.89 12.09 14.91 20.05 34
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0100
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VANSA’s work is made possible through the support of many organisations, funders, supporters and of course our members. As a membership and network driven organisation, the purpose of our existence is to serve our members and community and create a more conducive environment for the visual arts sector to thrive. This requires VANSA to become a sustainable organisation that is not only funding reliant but leans deeply into shared resources, collaboration and more income generating activities. Funding and capacity have been ongoing concerns for VANSA. In order to be sustainable and survive the next
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15 years and beyond, VANSA will need to transition to be more sustainable through developing a business model and evaluating our readiness for that in the coming months, developing greater community engagement and increased, more participatory membership to create a more inclusive, fair, just and equitable sector. As the funding landscape diminishes due to Covid-19, we will need to be more strategic about our resource management and examine new and more sustainable ways to do the work we do. We look forward to doing this work with
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our VANSA community and creating inclusive and sustainable futures that take all our lived experiences into account.
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Colophon Visual Arts Network of South Africa 29 Chiswick Street Brixton, Johannesburg 2019 vansa.co.za | info@vansa.co.za VANSA Annual Report 2021 Designer: Robyn Cook © This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-CommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International License
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