UMTATA COMMUNITY ARTS & CENTRE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: PRESENTATION TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ARTS AND CULTURE
SUBJECT: OPTIMISATION OF UMTATA COMMUNITY COSTS CENTRE
ITEMS TO BE REFLECTED
Black artists empowerment in the heritage section I monuments and memorial contracts.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
On Item One
The Centre has got little money in its bank account. See the attached bank statement. In 2003/2004 financial year we have been told that a grant of R200 000 from poverty funds has been allocated by the National Department of Arts and Culture, but that money is not coming down to the centre, it is still stuck in the district municipality with no documents to release it to the Centre.
On Sustenance
The Centre is manned by volunteers. Artists in the Centre are grouped into small projects which produce and sell works at the spaces provided by the Centre. We also let some space for office of the 0 R Tambo Municipality cleaning program from which routine cleaning funds come from.
Ownership
We are a Section 21 organisation with its board. The land is leased from the municipality one building owned by the municipality and the other by the Department of Arts and Culture National
Ablution facility
We still have a problem of toilets not working due to the septic tank and sewerage pipes that are not working. The focal municipality does not have the funds to remedy it as a result we are always being troubled by bad smell when there is change of wind.
Festac Festival
As means of audience development in the area for our craft waves we recommend that this festival be funded to the true of R5 million of which will be used to cover cost of running the festival and disbursement to the artists of the area In preparation for the festival. We further propose that the festival be a permanent one. Second to Grahamstown in size. This will help to draw patronage to the artists of the area7 especially because there will be maximum participation of artists from the 0 R Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Mbashe and Chris Hani district councils Please see the accompanying document on Festac.
Nadal Problems
As an identified poverty node area. We expected that the artist would benefit from that but we are experiencing delays in empowerment pr6grammes. Even the poverty funded SDI Festival has been postponed several times due to unavailability of funds and late arrival of the Intended grants. in terms of allocation very little has gone to the artists themselves. Request documents from the E.C.P.A.C.C. for recommendation of remedial strategies to the problem.
Umtata Museum
A sorry situation still exists in this museum. A space which has been marked for an art gallery is used by a squatter- Mrs Ceza as a church and the greater part of the building as her private finishing school, in partnership with questionable Nigerians. We request urgent action on this because it is impacting negatively on the development of the fine arts in the region.
Nelson Mandela Museum
Due to the swiftness of delivering its community outreach programmes which are geared for cultural development in the areas surrounding the museums. We artists of the 0 R Tambo request that a provision should be made to enable this museum to carry on this good task.
Black Artist Empowerment
It is sad to report that in the area of heritage black artists are ignored. Most monuments tenders are given to previously advantaged artists. Those black artists who have specialised in bronze casting, and stone curving are left in the dark with those skills to strive, only to be sub-contracted by the road and building constructors or tombstone dealers to do jobs for tenders they got, this is bad, It need to be addressed soon.
O R Tambo craft Programme
This is the only district municipality is the former homeland of Transkei that is engaged in the craft development initiative. We register our deepest approximation and opposition as the gifted citizens of this area. We also would like the National Government to extend a hand of support to the program because it has a potential. Tombo Arts Centre should also be seen as a good example of local government support to be followed in all areas,
PROPOSAL FOR THE UMTATA COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE
We request that Parliament should vote the Centre R2 million to cover for its running costs, ablution facilities, material and machinery for the 2004/2005 financial year. With this kind of grant we will be able to reach a level of sustainability for a long time.
PREPARED BY: ONKE NTANTISO
CELL No: 082 539 8292
Phone No: 047 539 8292