CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

As we reflect on the past year and the many changes we have seen I am humbled by the strength and perseverance the organisation and visual arts community has shown in one of the most defining moments in recent years.

This has been a year of great change and transformation. We said farewell to former Director, Kabelo Malatsie who joined the organisation in June 2018 and Board Chairperson, Bandile Gumbi, who, as the longest serving board member, had given sage advice, support and immense personal commitment over the years. We welcomed Refilwe Nkomo as the new Director in January 2020 and onto the Board, Gabrielle Goliath, who brings profound insight as an accomplished artist and scholar, all of which will be invaluable during this time of transformation.

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how inextricably linked we are and whilst we are physically distancing having temporarily closed the office space, we continue to strengthen our network and our relationships with our partners and funders which allows us to continue the important work we do. Whether it be our internship or bursary program, best practise guide workshops, governance skilling, research or advocacy, VANSA continues to be a pivotal organisation working towards a vision of “providing new social, cultural and economic possibilities for contemporary art practice in the South African – and wider African – context”.

Through our three pronged strategic approach of Membership, Programmes and Income Generation, we established stronger connections locally and internationally through participation in international advocacy networks such as the European Union National Institute of Cultures conference, whilst steadily becoming more financially stable with income generation projects like the project management of the Henrike Grohs Art Award.

Programmatically, we continued with the focus for the organisation on three primary areas:

1. DECENTRALISATION – our approach is to support existing work in the region rather than develop its own programmes and therefore work closely with existing membership. This programme area is participatory and membership driven.

2. 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.

3. PROFESSIONAL ACCESS like Decentralisation, is a membership driven area of work in which VANSA continues to provide services, opportunities and networking information to its membership. Since last year, Membership has served as an individual project in itself for which greater participatory membership events and processes are undertaken.

We are proud to be part of a phenomenal and resilient artistic community and I am grateful to my colleagues on the Board for the powerful insight and guidance they have provided the organisation as well as the amazing VANSA team who work diligently to achieve our vision.

As we continue to navigate a constantly dynamic landscape, we are certain that we will persevere and emerge from this moment, renewed, reinvigorated and more connected as an organisation, a network and a community.

Tanisha Bhana