Klaré van Heerden, Into the Night Forest, 2021

Klaré van Heerden, Into the Night Forest, 2021

NOTICE OF THE 2023 AGM

The AVA’s 2023 annual general meeting will be held on 29 November at 6pm at the AVA Gallery, 35 Church St, Cape Town CBD.

The agenda, as set out by the constitution, will be as follows:

  1. Welcome and proceedings

  2. Acceptance of last year’s minutes

  3. Remembrance of Jane Taylor

  4. The Chairperson of the Board’s annual report

  5. The Treasurer’s report 

  6. Introduction to the new Director

  7. Introduction of existing and prospective Board members

  8. The election of new Board members by ballot

  9. The appointment of an auditor for the coming year

  10. Any other business 

  11. Outcome of election

In respect of certain agenda items:

  • In proceedings, the board would like to address the following items:
    a) Ratification of co-options.
    b) Request for a waiver for holding the AGM later than 9 months after the end of the financial year.
    c) Suggested amendments to the Constitution, including contradictory clauses 6.3.1 and 7.1.3 as well as clarity around 6.2.1 with respect to the provisions 6.5.5 and 8.7.

  • Last year’s minutes can be found here.

  • Jane Taylor was a longstanding board member who was on leave during 2023 due to illness. Sadly, she passed away on 6 September. James Nilsen-Misra will offer a eulogy and celebration of her contribution to the organisation.

  • The financials for the year ending 31st December 2022 will be presented by the current Treasurer (effective January 2023). Copies are available here.

  • The names and terms of current Board members are: Keely Shinners (Chairperson), Winnie Sze (Treasurer), Ina Voloshin, Antony Arvan and Olga Speakes (Director, ex-officio). 

  • The prospective board members are as follows:

    • Angela Shaw is currently studying towards a Masters in History of Art at the University of the Witwatersrand. Since 2014, Shaw has been the Executive Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts, a non-profit visual arts organisation, where she is the head of operations and strategic direction overseeing a staff of 23.

    • Jodi Williams is a Cape Town-based young professional working in the field of social and racial justice in South Africa. Jodi has been at The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) for 6 years now and she currently leads IJR's Anti-Racism, Social Cohesion & Inclusion Project.

    • Tebogo George Mahashe works in the field of photography and museums, particularly at the intersection of artistic practice, archives and anthropology. His current research project includes ‘––defunct context’ which engages the synergy between art, science, technology and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Dr Mahashe is based at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.

    • Elske Henderson is a multidisciplinary artist, with a career path that has spanned pharmacy, strategic marketing and business consulting, as well as being a previous art gallery owner. She has 25+ years’ local and international experience in senior management positions, including business development, strategic business planning, strategic marketing, entrepreneurship, communications, property management and financial administration. 

    • Candice Thikeson is a curator and academic in the field of art history with ten years’ experience in the arts, through lecturing, managing art collections and archives, curating exhibitions, managing the production of exhibitions, advising and public engagement. She worked as Collections Manager and Assistant Curator at Norval Foundation and is currently a Lecturer in History of Art at North-West University.

    • Sindile Mkhabela has extensive experience in marketing, project coordination, administration and retail. Through diverse media, such as social platforms, blogs, podcasts, and playlists, she develops compelling brand narratives that forge authentic connections. Her love of the arts is often brought to bear on fostering personal evolution, environmental awareness, and empathy, whilst embracing technological advancements.

    • Jonathan Goschen is an artist management professional and graduate of Curatorial Studies at the University of Cape Town. He has experience working in galleries, managing artists, and presenting exhibitions. Fuelled by a passion for contemporary and historical South African and global art, he is led by desire to see the growth of the South African art industry by supporting and promoting local artists, institutions, critics, and artistic communities.

  • Any further nominations for prospective board members may be directed to the Director (olga@ava.co.za) in writing no later than 19 November 2023 (10 days before AGM). Candidates are also welcome to fill out this form. Any member is eligible to be nominated, and those members with experience in any of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: law, accountancy, human resources, government, art collection, fundraising (private) and fundraising (institutional). 

  • Polite reminder that only paid-up members who are physically present are eligible to vote. You can become a member here.

Following from the AGM, please join us for a presentation by Keely Shinners on the 2023 São Paulo Bienal and refreshments.

Kindly RSVP to Admin@AVA.co.za

Ruby Wilson