FUNDING PROPOSAL sent to DURBAN ARTS

February 9, 1994

 

Jeff Chandler, who was then president of the NSA, approached us at this time about applying to Durban Arts for money. Durban Arts was a well established organization that funded a broad range of cultural events. Chandler, who was a strong supporter of our endeavor, helped us prepare this letter for Noel Fairhurst (then director of Durban Arts):

The Flat Gallery was initiated in October 1993 as an alternative exhibition space. A non‑profit-making venture, its aim is to create a vibrant space where students and professional artists can exhibit, experiment and interact.

The cost involved in exhibiting has become prohibitive. This not only precludes young or disadvantaged artists from the art public, but also from having any exposure and experience of the gallery system. There simply does not exist a support structure of any significance for the visual arts.

Our venture is by all accounts a modest one, but it does offer the opportunity for an artist to exhibit at no cost to themselves, other than expenses for the opening night and invitations. Last year the gallery hosted twelve exhibitions, including one by the noted critic and artist, Kendell Geers.

The rental costs of the gallery are born by the managing committee, who are co‑signers of this proposal. Our request for funding entails the working cost of exhibitions, publicity and basic material needs for the presentation of art works:[1]

Here we asked for much less than in our BAT proposal: R790 a month, and received from the Durban Arts R300 a month for the period of one year. The letter was signed Moe, Barry and Allen.

A FLAT internal memorandum 1994