National Art Gallery of Namibia

History of the National Art Gallery of Namibia

The National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) , is a state-owned institution situated in central Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia.

Its main focus is to establish a systematic programme that provides the optimal methodology for informing and inspiring the general public about visual and cultural arts in the country. It is therefore the task of the NAGN to involve locals and visitors by giving them full access to our galleries and Permanent Collections, and to stage wide-ranging exhibitions throughout the year.

Before independence in 1990, the coordination of visual art and crafts at a national level was carried out by the Arts Association of Namibia (AAN). From the time of independence in 1990, efforts were underway to create a National Art Gallery, and so the NAGN formally came into being with the promulgation of the National Art Gallery of Namibia Act 14 of 2000.

When the Arts Association was responsible for various cultural disciplines, the building had a combined function. It initially housed facilities for art, music and dance, and it contained also the library and office for the Scientific Society. The building has, over the years, undergone alterations with input from different architects and contractors, resulting in the current eclectic mix of characteristics.

Today the National Art Gallery of Namibia is a national museum, housing the Arts Association Heritage Trust Permanent Collection and the NAGN Permanent Collection. The NAGN also hosts contemporary exhibitions of local, national and international Art, while showcasing the best of Namibian artwork from the permanent collection as well as hosting a constantly changing series of temporary exhibitions by Namibian and international artists.

With a commitment to free admission, a central and accessible site the NAGN wants to ensure that its collections can be enjoyed by the widest public possible.

The NAGN is currently working on establishing a dynamic education programme for students and the general public that will include free public lectures, tours and seminars.^[1]

Vision and Mission

Vision

To be the leading institution for celebrating, collecting, preserving, exhibiting and researching visual art and craft, as a component of our national identity, cultural heritage and human connectedness.^[2]

Mission

To provide dedicated space and human capacity for the exhibition, appreciation, acquisition, conservation, preservation and research of visual art and craft. To encourage the formation of a Namibian, African and global consciousness of the value of visual art and craft for the continued development of humankind.^[2]

Collections

NAGN Collection

The National Art Gallery of Namibia Permanent Collection is living evidence of the expansion and development of Namibian art, especially during the post-independence era. Preceding the promulgation of the National Art Gallery of Namibia Act no 14 of 2000, the main focus had been on collecting art works from established pre-independence artists. The NAGN Permanent Collection recognizes the opportunity for the exploration and commemoration of contemporary Namibian art of a competent standard, at the same time providing a platform for interaction between artists and audience.

The Permanent Collection is made up of approximately 400 contemporary art works of Namibian origin. The National Art Gallery of Namibia Permanent Collection endeavours to mark noteworthy developments in Namibian art. The greatest part of the collection has been collected during group and individual exhibitions hosted by the NAGN and is selected according to established criteria, as formulated in its Collection Management Policy.

The selection process is based on conceptual and technical quality, and the relative contribution of the work to the body of Namibian art. The National Art Gallery of Namibia Permanent Collection comprises work representing different disciplines (painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, mixed media, new media and outstanding works of craft. The collection demonstrates and contains the very best art works and within them are intuitive and uncommon pieces that are not only beautiful but significant within the history of Namibia.^[3]

GRN Collection

The National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) received custody of the Government of the Republic of Namibia Art Collection when the Namibian Parliament passed the NAGN Act 14 of 2000.^[4] The National Art Gallery of Namibia places a high priority on the safeguarding of the visual art heritage of the Namibian Nation.

The GRN Art Collection is an essential part of this endeavour. The care and preservation of this valuable national asset is an immense responsibility, which requires extensive input of human and logistic resources from the NAGN, as well as the kind cooperation of motivated GRN offices.

It is against this background that NAGN staff members are engaged in an ongoing process of documenting, condition reporting, registration and accessioning of GRN art works. This programme is designed to reach all 13 regions and embassies abroad. So far most of the Ministries in Windhoek have undergone the process.

The visual and technical information collected with this process will enable the NAGN to compile presentation materials which will form part of a campaign to enhance awareness of Namibian visual arts.^[3]

AAHT Collection

The ARTS ASSOCIATION HERITAGE TRUST Collection is the most comprehensive historical visual art collection in Namibia today, legally safeguarded since 2006 in a trust.^[5]

Built up by the Arts Association of Namibia (AAN), the Arts Association Heritage Trust has acquired most of its Collection from donations by members, artists and the kind sponsorship of the Metje and Behnsen Family since 1948.

The collection comprises modern and contemporary paintings, graphics, sculptures and traditional African art by mostly Namibian artists. The Heritage Collection includes a large collection of linocuts by John Ndevasia Muafangejo, whom the AAN assisted with a study bursary, exhibitions - locally and internationally - as well as through catalogues and through direct promotion and marketing since 1973 until his death in 1987.

The collection serves as a valuable tool for education especially during the Annual Visual Art Museum Programme (AVAMP), when certain themes, genres and developments in art are emphasised. Unfortunately due to a lack of space, only a small part of the collection can be showcased annually. It is however envisioned that the Heritage Collection will find a suitable exhibition space where the array of Namibia’s visual art heritage can be presented permanently.^[3]

Projects

Tulipamwe International Artists' Workshop

The Tulipamwe International Artists’ Workshop is a non-profit making community outreach project, since 2014 under the auspices of the National Art Gallery of Namibia. The objective of the project is to stimulate local art awareness and skills development.

Bank Windhoek Triennial

The objectives of the Triennial are to promote visual arts in Namibia, to encourage conceptual creativity, technical excellence and individual expression, to have visual artists represented at a national exhibition and to be the most prestigious visual art exhibition in Namibia. This project is open to applications from all artists with Namibian citizenship, domicile or permanent residency over the age of 18.^[6]

The Bank Windhoek Triennial is a forum where Namibian artists can be part of an art exhibition that promotes excellence as an essential ingredient.^[7] It is also a communally inspiring event that challenges Namibian artists to show their best efforts on a truly professional level. The advantage of the three-year time gap, between successive Triennials, is that it provides an opportunity for artists to learn from the previous experience and to use the interlude to apply newly acquired knowledge in preparing prizewinning work for the next event. Most artists will recognise that ground-breaking art and experimenting with new ideas, requires courage. That is why innovation gets rewarded.

Art competitions are part and parcel of the competitive professional art world.[7] Winning major awards have presented many artists with a platform to launch a hugely successful career. It should be accepted that some artists, both professional and amateur, do not enjoy participating in “competitions”.  At the basis of this may be a perception that adjudication happens on a subjective or arbitrary level. However, all participants are assured that the Bank Windhoek Triennial adjudication will be conducted according to established, transparent criteria. In order to provide a longer-lasting learning experience to participating artists and to the public, feedback sessions and discussions will be conducted during the exhibition to analyse and discuss the best work. Artists are entitled to request written feedback about rejected work.

Bank Windhoek 30 x 30 Exhibition

The Bank Windhoek 30 x 30 exhibition stemmed from a competition of the same name, initiated by the National Art Gallery of Namibia and Bank Windhoek with the aim of discovering new and fresh talent in Namibia and to encourage artistic excellence, creativity and individual expression.^[8] This competition ran for two years.

The competition consisted of two categories, namely a School Category for secondary school learners (Grade 8 to 12 and age 14 to 19 at the time of submission) and an Amateur Category for artists who do not have any tertiary art qualification and have not had a solo exhibition or participated in a curated exhibition.

In the first phase of the competition, participants were required to complete an application form describing an idea of what they intent to develop on a 30cmx30cm canvas or paper. The ideas could be supported by visuals such as preliminary sketches, collage, photomontage etc., intended materials and/or written text.

In the second and final phase of the competition, the finalists were required to successfully translate their ideas into any type of medium. The judges then selected the top 10 best artworks over all.

Happy Art Hour

The Happy Art Hour programme aims to bring a younger crowd into the gallery, where they will be able to enjoy their aperitif while having the chance to appreciate and explore the art works on display.^[9]

Initiated in late 2015, the formula involves live music, a drink and a wander through the current exhibitions or the permanent collections. Once a month visitors will have the chance to socialize and enjoy live music in the courtyard behind the gallery. An opportunity to have fun but also to learn: the doors will be open for visitors to tour the exhibitions, and with the help of volunteers all the artworks will be spoken about and discussed.

Happy Art Hour is designed for people who want to discover and engage with the gallery in an informal way and strengthen the perception that the gallery is a space that can be also recreational, ideal for people who want to socialize and relax after a day of work.

Heritage Week

Namibian Heritage Week provides an annual opportunity to celebrate our heritage through the natural and historical sites, objects, art, craft, cuisine, and traditional knowledge which has been preserved, protected and passed on from one generation to another.^[9] The main aim of the week is to encourage more Namibians to visit our Art Galleries, Heritage Sites, Museums and Game Parks or to attend a cultural performance. A number of heritage institutions, not only in Windhoek, but throughout the regions, have introduced special events to encourage more visitors during the week. All Namibians are encouraged to celebrate culture and support our heritage institutions during Heritage Week.

Art Inside

The project Art Inside, which was launched in 2014, is a nationwide art awareness project aimed at Namibian Government.^[9] The initiative aims at acquiring original Namibian visual art for installation in all Ministries and semi-government premises. By installing the artworks, the project aims to celebrate visual art as an important mode of creative communication, and to foster an appreciation for visual art as inherent part of government’s working environment.

In the previous editions Namibian artists from all regions have responded positively by submitting inspiring art and craftwork of an exceptional quality for this project. From these, the best pieces were first exhibited at the NAGN and then purchased for the Government of Namibia Art Collection.

Art Inside is organized by the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.

Services

Curatorial Services

The NAGN has a qualified curatorial team, beside providing curatorial work for artists exhibiting in the NAGN, their job also includes developing a public interest in art, ensuring that works of art are accessible and exhibited to public for both viewing and research purposes. The curatorial team also promotes public enjoyment and the understanding of visual art and fine art.

Framing Workshop

The National Art Gallery of Namibia offers a framing service at the framing workshop. This framing service is an income generating project for the National Art Gallery of Namibia.

References

• Official website of the National Art Gallery of Namibia
• History of the National Art Gallery of NamibiaCoordinates: 22°33′42″S 17°05′08″E / 22.56167°S 17.08556°E / -22.56167; 17.08556