Department Of Arts And Culture White Paper
South African society has been undergoing fundamental transformation over the last two years. In accordance with the principles of justice, democracy, non-racism and non-sexism, every sector of our society is facing change. While this may be unsettling for some, for many, it brings hope that their needs, views and aspirations will now also become part of the mainstream. South Africa’s first democratically elected Government has contributed to this process by creating our first Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. South Africa is indeed on the brink of experiencing a cultural Renaissance.
The arts, culture and heritage cannot be an exception in this transformation process, since they too were overtly affected by the maldistribution of skills, resources and infrastructure during the apartheid era. In fact, given that the arts are premised on freedom of expression and critical thought, transformation in this area is crucial to empowering creative voices throughout the country, and is thus integral to the success of the democratic project.
The vision outlined in this draft White Paper has been distilled from numerous sources, voices and submissions. The most significant of these is the Arts and Culture Task Group (ACTAG) Report which represents the views of a major part of the arts and culture community, including practitioners, educators and administrators. I would like to thank everyone who made a contribution and participated in the ACTAG process and in particular the members of the ACTAG for their sterling work and commitment in undertaking the consultative and writing processes which led to the production of their detailed Report.
The aim of this document is to promote the arts, culture, heritage and literature in their own right, as significant and valuable areas of social and human endeavour in themselves. It spells out the institutional arrangements required to implement a new vision in which they are developed, practised and celebrated among all our people, and it indicates the changes required of existing institutions to assist this. It also deals with the rights of practitioners within these domains. Other issues relating to areas such as cultural industries will be dealt with through Departmental policy development or White Papers, such as that for the Film Industry, which is under preparation.
The role of the State in funding arts, culture and heritage is a complex one. In some countries, no State support is forthcoming; in others the State plays a decisive role. We must be attuned to our own particular situation, and wish to develop exactly that “arms length” relationship which is fundamental to freedom of expression. At the same time, all funding from the public purse carries certain obligations with it, and these obligations of accountability must be applied with due responsibility and creativity. Promotion without undue promulgation would be our ideal.
I would also like to thank the White Paper writing team and the core reference group for the White Paper for their work, and especially to acknowledge the contributions of the international advisers, Dr. Michael Volkerling of Victoria University, New Zealand, and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of The Netherlands.
There has been much consultation and debate in arriving at this point. No doubt, there will be further debate and reaction around this draft White Paper. I am convinced though, that the vision and institutional arrangements outlined here represent the best way forward for our country at this point.
I sincerely hope that the major role-players will unite behind this vision, in the best interests of the arts, culture and heritage.
Department Of Arts And Culture White Paper
Download pdf