VACSA Strategic Framework

From Mapping to Impact

A Five-Volume Framework for Building the Visual Arts Sector (2025–2030)

Sector data: National Visual Arts Review 2024 — Andani Africa for DSAC | Full evidence base | Resource library

1

UNDERSTAND

Constituency & Ecosystem Mapping

Map the people, places, realities, and gaps of the visual arts sector across all 9 provinces.

2025–2026 — In Progress

2

EQUIP

Toolkit & Sector Enablement

Turn mapping findings into tools, support systems, digital pathways, and practical opportunities.

2026–2028

3

SHIFT

Policy, Advocacy & Impact

Use evidence to influence policy, strengthen market access, and measure long-term sector change.

2028–2030

Tap any volume to explore its milestones

Johannesburg mapping workshop session
Practitioners at a constituency mapping event
Gauteng provincial workshop participants
Eastern Cape Artists Among Us workshop

Mapping workshops — Volume 1 in action

1
UNDERSTANDIn Progress2025–2026

Constituency & Ecosystem Mapping

Map the people, places, realities, and gaps of the visual arts sector.

Volume 1 gives VACSA the evidence base by identifying who is in the sector, where they are, how they function, and what challenges and opportunities exist across the visual arts ecosystem.

81% of visual artists have never applied for public funding. Volume 1 fixes visibility — you can't support who you can't see.

See the full evidence base →

Programme Milestones — 2025–2026

Institutional Foundation — established

✓ NPC registered (2025/355907/08)

✓ DSAC Memorandum of Agreement signed (July 2025)

✓ Board governance charter established

✓ Bank accounts opened

Provincial Mapping Workshops — in progress

→ 5 provincial mapping workshops completed (Gauteng, Western Cape, KZN, Eastern Cape, Limpopo)

→ 2 workshops scheduled (Free State, Mpumalanga)

→ 2 workshops upcoming (North West, Northern Cape)

→ Programme target: 1,500+ verified constituency profiles from artists, galleries, organisations, and institutions

→ WhatsApp channel: 700+ practitioners connected

National Baseline Report — planned

→ National Baseline Report consolidating findings from across South Africa

→ Digital constituency mapping platform live on vacsa.org

→ Formal partnerships (MOUs) with 5+ provincial departments of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation

→ Social media target: 10,000 followers across platforms

2
EQUIPPlanned2026–2028

Toolkit & Sector Enablement

Turn findings into tools, support systems, and practical opportunities.

Volume 2 translates research into practical support for the sector through toolkits, guidance, digital pathways, learning opportunities, and other interventions shaped by what the mapping reveals.

45% of visual artists spend more than they earn. Volume 2 builds the tools that change that — market access, skills, connections.

See the full evidence base →

Programme Milestones — 2026–2028

Data Systems & Research Partnerships

→ Automated opportunity matching for registered practitioners

→ Provincial data dashboards with real-time constituency data

→ Research partnerships with universities

→ Artist and organisation verification system

Policy Influence & Capacity Building

→ Policy position papers submitted to DSAC

→ Cross-cluster collaboration with other creative industry clusters

→ Funding gap analysis published

→ Artist cooperative models piloted in 3 provinces

→ Mentorship programme: 100 mentor-mentee pairs

3
SHIFTPlanned2028–2030

Policy, Advocacy, Implementation & Impact

Use evidence to influence policy, strengthen systems, and track long-term change.

Volumes 3 to 5 position VACSA to advocate for the sector, develop implementation pathways, strengthen market and institutional access, and measure the impact of its work over time.

77% of schools lack arts education. Volume 3 shifts policy so the pipeline isn't broken for the next generation.

See the full evidence base →

Programme Milestones — 2028–2030

International Positioning & Market Access

→ International residency and exhibition exchange programmes

→ Global gallery partnership pipeline

→ South African visual arts export strategy

→ National Visual Arts Distribution Network

Sustainability & Legacy

→ Self-sustaining revenue model operational

→ Endowment fund target: R5M

→ Self-sustaining provincial chapters

→ Living archive of South African visual arts

→ Youth pipeline programme in 50 schools

→ Independent audit of sector impact

Why This Framework Exists

What the Andani Africa Survey Reveals

R5.6B

Gross value added by visual arts to the national economy — growth happened despite limited support, not because of it

81%

of visual arts practitioners have never applied for public funding — they can't access what they can't see

45%

of practitioners spend more on their practice than they earn — the economics are structurally broken

77%

of South African schools lack quality visual arts education — the talent pipeline is disappearing

Source: Andani Africa, National Visual Arts Review 2024

Read the full evidence base →

Delivering Now — 2025/2026

Source: DSAC Memorandum of Agreement, July 2025

1,500+

Verified constituency database entries

Artists, galleries, organisations, and institutions mapped across South Africa

1

National Baseline Report

Consolidated evidence base from the provincial engagements for policy and funding

5+

Provincial department MOUs

Formal partnership agreements with Departments of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Total DSAC programme allocation: R2,000,000 (R1.4M programme delivery, R600K governance)

Strategic Horizon — 2025–2030

Source: VACSA Strategic Framework Vol. 01 of 05

National Visual Arts Distribution Network for market access

Accredited training pathways aligned to QCTO and CATHSSETA standards

Digital Innovation Labs established in each province

E-commerce marketplace for South African visual art

Visual Arts Sector Charter (like the Film transformation charter)

Biennial State of the Visual Arts Report

National Digital Archive and oral history platform

These are 5-year strategic aspirations from the framework, not current programme deliverables.

Five volumes. One road. From mapping to impact.

Join the Constituency MappingThe Evidence Base

Sector data: National Visual Arts Review 2024 — Andani Africa for DSAC | Full evidence base | Resource library