Rallying for the Development of an Arts and Culture Strategy for the Northern Cape Province

Compiled by: Phillip Speek – 2010 Provincial Arts and Culture Coordination

Context
The Arts and Culture sector in the Northern Cape Province has generally operated from shoestring budgets, mainly relying on the enthusiasm of individuals and not according to a well thought-out strategy. This has meant that progress has faltered and overall direction is not clear. Furthermore, the province has no clear artistic brand recognition, and looks unevenly-served and lacking in coordination and organisation.

Little progress has been recorded regarding the growth of the sector, the department of Arts and Culture has now taken up a decision to develop a provincial overarching strategy that will guide the development and growth of the Arts and Culture sector. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to highlight a strategic plan and recommendations that can be carried forward, developed and subsequently implemented.

A key question is whether a vibrant Arts and Culture scene is necessary for the Northern Cape and/or does the province really needs Arts and Culture? While this question will require further research and analysis, it is clear from the world and South African cities and provinces that a vibrant arts and culture sector contributes enormously to their distinctiveness and excellence. As a result, the Northern Cape’s production of arts and culture should aim to be of at least as high a standard as other provision in the country.

In order to ensure the most effective and strategic outcomes in support of the wider institutional ambitions of the department, it is imperative that the department produces in parallel with the Provincial Arts and Culture Strategy, a Northern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Policy for the future of Arts.

Working in true partnership with the community is the best way to ensure the department carries out its functions easily and successfully. The Arts and Culture Strategy will therefore set out the way in which to build, maintain and enhance the important relationship between the department and the arts and culture community.

Across all provinces of South Africa there is evidence of artists’ backlash rising due to insufficient engagement between the department and artists, or through engaging cultural practitioners at the wrong stage of programming or by misunderstandings about the level of engagement being offered (i.e. people were told they will be “consulted” and then find they were merely “informed”). These issues can be avoided by ensuring you plan properly and identify community engagement as a top priority for the project right at the start.

Meanwhile, the Arts and Culture Strategy must underpin the development of arts infrastructure, by supporting the community in accessing arts and cultural activity and in turn creating audiences for venues such as the Northern Cape Theatre, Mayibuye Centre, employment and support for local artists and organisations and opportunities for artists to learn new skills and access new opportunities.

Recommendations
In a Strategy of this nature a two set of recommendations is required to outline the way forward. These are Broad Recommendations and Specific Recommendations. In this case Broad Recommendations will outline long term goals while Specific Recommendations outline the high priority short term goals for the sector.
However, the recommendations should not be presumptuous and should be based on scientific findings captured through a smooth analytic process.

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