The Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA), a
development agency for the visual arts promoting connection and access in the
industry will host a series of consultations to get input from the visual arts
sector for the development of a norms and standards booklet. This proves to be
a landmark moment for the visual arts which currently does not employ a
universal best practice standard for professional work in the various fields of
the sector.
VANSA, which has been tasked by the Department of Arts and
Culture (DAC) to develop guidelines for the visual arts community, is calling
for input into guiding principles of the sector from all stakeholders in the
industry.
Norms and Standards are industry protocols, usually
developed by an industry body, by which all stakeholders can or must operate.
Guidelines are norms and standards that indicate best practice but are not
legislated. The guidelines to be set up through this process will entail a wide
range of best practices regarding exhibitions, sales, studios, residencies,
insurance, taxes, copyright and freedom of expression.
Only four countries in the world have national norms and
standards for the visual arts in place. Such norms and standards are usual
industry practice for many other sectors in South Africa, and yet none have
been established for the visual arts. Considering that visual arts are such a
variant and complex sector, the norms and standards will need to take into
account the range of practice and possibility across South Africa.
For this reason, VANSA is embarking on a consultation
process to gain valuable insights and perspectives on the proposed norms and
standards guidelines from the sector at large. Physical consultation sessions
will be held in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in April. Platforms for
comments and submissions via email and social media are also available.
The Durban Consultation Meeting will take place on April 8
from 09h30 for 10h00 until 12 noon at the Durban Art Gallery, 2nd Floor, City
Hall, Anton Lembede Street.
These meetings will serve as a first introductory
consultation about the planned framework of the guidelines and to solicit
comments and contributions.
A further consultation session will be held once a draft
version of the document would be in place. This will be held in May in Johannesburg.
These consultations and online submissions will give stakeholders the
opportunity to comment on the content of the norms and standards directly. The
intention is for the final Norms and Standards Handbook to be completed by July
2016.
For queries email to handbook@vansa.co.za
(This information is
published in full on the Arts & Culture Trust’s blog – see http://www.act.org.za)
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