VANSA Press Release
Visual art in South Africa will soon take its place as one of the most important cultural aspects of transformation, if an organisation-in-planning for artists succeeds in its objectives. Long neglected by the state, big business and the public, artists will band together to make their voices heard, and to promote art at every level. The new organisation is to be called the Visual Artists' Network of South Africa, VANSA, and will be launched first regionally, then nationally. The Western Cape launch will take place at the Centre for the Book on March 27 from 5.30 p.m. to 8 p.m, and the event will be part of the Cape Town Festival programme. The national launch will take place later in the year.
Some of the objectives of VANSA will be to bring to the attention to the city and the state the enormous importance to the national economy of cultural tourism, and the necessity for funding visual arts events. Lobbyists will present to the government programmes whereby corporate buyers get tax breaks - standard practice in many parts of the world. A 1% for Art plan for all new buildings at planning stage will be actively pursued. VANSA will also help provide access to tools, technololgy and skills needed by artists to best create produce and distribute their work not only here but all over the world. Sympathetic and constructive critical forums will be set up to debate matters of interest to artists.
VANSA is following the lead of performing artists (PANSA) and museum professionals in forming their own organisations, and will work together with these parallel groups where necessary. All visual artists and artists organisations will be eligible to join VANSA. Membership will be free until the national launch, after which a fee will be levied to cover the costs of producing and sending out a regular newsletter to members, and of planning events.
Inquiries regarding VANSA or the launch on March 27 can be made to Zayd Minty at 083 530 1912 of Estelle Jacobs at 082 725 7395.
