1. We, representatives of government, business, labour and civil society; managers and practitioners in the arts, culture and heritage sector, gathered in the Newtown Cultural Precinct on 14 and 15 April 2011 submit that:
- The arts, culture and heritage sector is of immeasurable value, both tangible and intangible.
- Government, together with society at large, has a responsibility to conserve, protect, transmit and present our culture and heritage
- Our culture and heritage are key to nation building and social cohesion , and these are the ingredients for creating a climate of social stability and economic growth
- The creative economy in South Africa has the potential to be a leading sector in generating economic growth, employment and trade as is the case in many advanced economies.
2. We note that the arts, culture and heritage sector contributes to economic growth and employment in significant ways, for example:
- Our natural heritage, measured by the value of ecotourism, contributes R21 billion per annum to the economy
- The music industry was worth around R1.7 billion in sales and ranked 17th in the world in 2007
- The craft sector contributes R1.1 billion annually to GDPand employs approximately 38 062 people
- The visual arts sector has a turnover of nearly R2 billion and gross value added of R1 billion per annum. There are an estimated 17 700 people working in the sector.
- The total net turnover of the book publishing industry in 2007 was estimated to be worth R3.2 billion with 13 769 authors and 818 other entities received royalties.
- The film industry generates over R5.5 billion in economic activity annually and employs an estimated 30 000 people
- The gross advertising revenue for the broadcasting industry was close to R8.5 billion in 2006
3. We recognise that:
- The arts, culture and heritage sector is creative and innovative
- Many successful initiatives contribute immensely to human, social and economic development
4. We therefore resolve that we will work collectively to:
- Identify and develop talent and excellence through ensuring appropriate skills development throughout the education system
- Facilitate the expansion and growth of existing initiatives in the cultural and creative industries to create large scale and high impact programmes, maximizing the growth and employment potential of the sector
- Better co-ordinate supply and demand in the sector
- Enhance existing production and create new business opportunities to match demand
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of the sector to guide policy development, strategic direction and allocation of resources to the sector
5. We further resolve that we will participate actively in multi-stakeholder project task teams, appointed by the Minister, building on existing initiatives, working through existing institutions, to complete detailed plans for implementation, with financial and human resource implications for a variety of strategic programmes:
5.1 Education and skills academy
The development of interventions throughout the education system to ensure measures to provide basic resources in schools; support and develop the skills of educators; ensure access for learners to all that the sector has to offer;identify and develop talent;influence choice of career path;develop appreciation and therefore audiences.We will also establish a National Skills Academy.
5.2 Establishment of a sourcing enterprise
A virtual enterprise will be established to give access to markets and support product development, to increase demand and consumption in the sector.In addition an enterprise will be established to supply local goods and services for government conferences and events.
5.3 Cultural Precincts andEvents
Based on experience to date of establishing cultural precincts, nationally supported and local implemented cultural precincts will be established.These precincts will be linked to places and sites throughout the country.
A programme of cultural events / extravaganzas will be developed to animate the sector, encourage audience development and visitation to every corner of the country.
5.4 Information centres
Information centres will be established at cultural precincts and elsewhere to provide information about what the sector has to offer, including virtual experiences, to encourage audience development and encourage circulation to sites and places.
5.5 A touring venture
A venture will be established to ensure that exhibitions and performances are supported to tour domestically and internationally, including touring to remote areas of the country to provide access to marginalised audiences and to sustain jobs.
5.6 Heritage
Heritage Legacy Projects proposed in 1998 will be reviewed and reconsidered with a view to progressive implementation over time.
Planning for the National Liberation Heritage Route will be taken forward and implemented with a focus on both the tangible and intangible elements of the struggles for liberation.
Other elements of our diverse heritage will be explored and developed
5.7 Public Art Programme
A public art programme will be designed focusing on beautification and storytelling through art in communities and showcasing artistic talent.The public art programmes will involve practitioners through community works programmes.
5.8 An Art Bank
An art bank will be established to curate and display art works in public buildings.These works will be made available for sale and refreshed annually.
5.9 Establishment of a Cultural Observatory
A Cultural Observatory will be established, in collaboration with existing initiatives, with the purpose of developing key indicators, working to collect cultural statistics and analysing trends to allow global comparability and to inform future policy and resource allocation decisions.This Observatory will serve as a library for all reports pertaining to the sector.
6. We further commit ourselves to working collectively in task teams to co-ordinate and optimise the funding opportunities, including a small grants progamme implemented through an agreed funding model by different institutions, to incentivise performance in all areas of the creative and cultural industries
- Cultural and natural heritage
- Performance and celebration including music and dance
- Visual arts and crafts
- Books, publishing and archives
- Audiovisual and interactive media including film
- and creative services
7. Informed by our public good responsibility to protect and conserve our heritage, including archives and heraldry, for current and future generations, for both its tangible and intangible value, we will initiate a consultative process to discuss our policy and strategic approach to heritage.
8. Likewise, informed by our constitutional responsibility to promote and create conditions for the development and use of language, we will initiate a consultative process to discuss our policy and strategic approach to the development and use of indigenous languages.
9. We will in addition, within the next 6 months, initiate a consultative process which will culminate in a summit of government, business and labour to develop a charter for the sector addressing ownership and transformation.
10. Finally we commit ourselves to convening a follow up consultative conference, for the sector in its entirety, in 2012 as part of a process of continuous assessment of progress, review of policy and strategic direction.
For further information kindly contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Percy Mthimkulu
Cell: 082 389 2684
