TASK DIRECTIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL MUSEUMS
POLICY FRAMEWORK
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The nature of national museums as social institutions and the role that
they play in defining, shaping and representing the nation, strengthening
social cohesion or entrenching social division has not sufficiently been
explored in South Africa. National museums constitute an invaluable
resource in terms of the collections they hold in trust for the nation, and
as reserves of intellectual capital as well as investment in capacity and
expertise. While consuming a major proportion of the national heritage
budget, museums continue to operate in an inadequate policy framework
under the control of the statutory councils. Although the White Paper on
Arts, Culture and Heritage had already alluded to this challenge in 1996,
no clear policy guidelines has to date been implemented.
1.2
The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) intends to draft a National
Museums Policy, which will provide a comprehensive policy framework
for the management of museums in South Africa.
2.
DISCUSSION
2.1
The lack of authoritative and clear museums policy guidelines in South
Africa is a great source of concern.
The need for coordination of
museums through broad policy guidelines was already identified in 1995
with the Second Draft Report of the Arts and Culture Task Group
(ACTAG). The final product of this process, the White Paper on Arts,
Culture and Heritage (1996) laid a foundation for the transformation of
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the sector and called for the review of the national museums.
It is
acknowledged in the White Paper that many of the declared cultural
institutions are ‘national’ in name only rather than in status, in the sense
that neither their collections nor the service they render could be
described as national. The White Paper also indicates that planning of
museum services has been fragmented, many communities do not have
access to museums, cultural collections are often biased and new
museums and museums outside the current national network should
also have access to national funding.
2.2
The White Paper made seven pronouncements on heritage institutions
which included four actions: firstly, the evaluation of the current national
museums following the determination of criteria (definition) of what
constitutes a national museum;
museum policy;
through
secondly, the drafting of a national
thirdly, the transformation of the museum sector
restructuring
and
rationalization;
and
fourthly,
the
implementation of performance measures. In future, funding would be
subject to performance measures.
2.3
One of the key tasks of the national museums policy framework would
therefore be to provide a grading structure for museums. Application of
criteria to determine the classification or grading of museums as
national, provincial or local institutions will result in fundamental changes
and configuration of the current institutional landscape.
2.4
The DAC therefore requires the services of a small but dynamic group of
experts in the diverse areas of the museum sector to drive this process
and ultimately draft the National Museums Policy.
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3.
KEY MANDATE
3.1
Museum grading criteria
3.1.1
Almost all national museum are ‘national’ only because they receive
funding from a national department, and not because they hold
collections or provide services of national importance. The aim of the
grading criteria will be to explicitly define museums of national, provincial
and local importance.
New museums will be established within the
graded framework to address specific topics.
3.1.2
The tourism industry has the longest established grading system. This
could be used as a model in determining criteria for grading of
museums. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa manages a
voluntary national grading system for all sectors of the tourism industry.
The system stipulates minimum requirements and grading criteria for
specific categories of hospitality establishments. The grading scheme
provides for certain benefits for members participating in the scheme; a
code of conduct to be observed by members of the scheme. Benefits of
the grading system include that graded establishments have the right,
and requirement, to display the Grading Council rating plaque certificate.
Graded establishments may also use the Grading Council logo in all
their marketing collateral. Grading assists establishments in positioning
their products. The grading is only valid for 12 months and must be
renewed annually.
3.1.3
The museum grading system will be different from the hospitality sector.
The sector holds in trust for the people of South Africa permanent
collections of artefacts, objects and biological specimens; many of them
more than 100 years old and representative of unique and rare objects
or specimens. The policy may therefore look in detail on issues of the
frame, and should consider the term of validity of assigned grading.
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Should institutions be re-evaluated and graded periodically, e.g. every
five or ten years, or should grading be a permanent assignment? In the
hospitality industry, grading is voluntary.
This could be ideal in the
heritage sector, but because museums are accountable public entities, a
carrot and stick might be used as either incentive or disincentive.
3.2
Funding model
3.2.1
Currently funding to national institutions is not based on an objective and
transparent process.
There seems to be little, if any, correlation
between the cultural significance of the museum and the funding that it
receives from government. The policy framework should outline in an
unambiguous manner criteria for receiving funding. The grade that the
museum is allocated will be a basis for its funding.
3.3
Norms and standards
3.3.1
The norms and standards provided in the policy document must present
minimum standards for museums. The norms and standards must be
presented as a series of principles supported by guidelines of desirable
professional practice and must reflect principles generally accepted by
the international museum community. It must be aligned to the ICOM
and SAMA Code of Ethics and Standards.
3.3.2
The norms and standards must address all museological aspects of
museums, in particular those concerned with the conservation of
collections, research and interpretation of collections, and education and
public displays.
3.4
Role delineation
3.4.1
There are many types of museums, ranging from very large institutions
covering many categories, to very small museums covering either a
particular location or subject. Examples of museum categories include
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art, archaeology, anthropology and ethnology, history, cultural history,
military history, science, technology, children’s museums (exploration
centres), natural history, numismatics, open air and philately.
Within
these categories, many museums specialize further, e.g. museums of
modern art, local history, aviation history, agriculture or geology. The
national museum policy framework must be applicable to all types of
museums.
3.4.2
National museums should each have a unique mandate and the
delineation of mandates must be clearly stipulated in the document.
3.5
Cross reference
3.5.1
The national museum policy framework must make cross reference to
relevant legislation and policies such as the White Paper on Arts, Culture
and Heritage; the Cultural Institutions Act; the National Heritage Council
Act, National Heritage Resources Act and relevant International
Conventions and Protocols to which South Africa are signatory.
In
particular, the national museum policy framework must refer to the
National Museums Division, section 12 of the Cultural Institutions Act.
The enactment of obligations imposed by international Conventions,
Treaties and Protocol are the responsibility of the entire heritage sector,
including national, provincial, local and private heritage institutions.
3.6
Synergies with other departments
3.6.1
The national museum policy framework must outline the roles and
responsibilities of other governments in the protection and promotion of
South African heritage.
This could include synergies with the
Department of Water and Environmental Affairs for the documentation of
biodiversity; the Department of Tourism to establish synergies in
heritage tourism; the Department of Science and Technology in the
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pursuit of scientific research objectives; and provincial and local
departments concerned with the heritage sector.
4.
POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
4.1
National framework
4.1.1
Museums operate within the ambit of the following legislations:
4.1.2

Cultural Institutions Act, 1998 (Act No 119 of 1998)

National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No 25 of 1999)

Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999)

White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage (1996)
Other national legislation that should be taken into account:

National Heritage Council Act, 1999 (Act No 11 of 1999)

Culture Promotion Act, 1983 (Act No 35 of 1983)

The Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No 66 of 1995)

Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act No 75 of 1997)
4.2
International framework
4.2.1
The following international conventions should be taken into account:

UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the
Event of Armed Conflict (First Protocol, 1954 and Second Protocol,
1999)

UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the
Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property
(1970)

UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen and Illegally Exported Cultural
Objects (1995)

UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural
Heritage (2001)
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
UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage (2003)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of
Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)

UN Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
5.
STAKEHOLDERS
5.1
Although the museum sector incorporates a large spectrum of expertise
and therefore many different professional organizations, associations
and individuals, the major key stakeholders will include:
5.1.1
Declared Cultural Institutions, comprising of:

Iziko Museums of Cape Town

Northern Flagship Institution

National Museum

War Museum of the Boer Republics

Natal Museum

Voortrekker Museum

Luthuli Museum

National English Literary Museum

Nelson Mandela Museum

Afrikaans Taal Museum

Robben Island Museum

Freedom Park

Engelenburghuis Art Collection

William Humphreys Art Gallery
5.1.2
South African Heritage Resources Agency
5.1.3
National Heritage Council
5.1.4
South African Museums Association
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6.
TASK DESCRIPTION
6.1
The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) wishes to appoint a Panel of
Experts to draft a National Museums Policy.
6.2
The DAC therefore invites experts to submit applications for appointment
as members of the Panel of Experts, heritage institutions are at liberty to
nominate or second experts to work on this project.
6.3
The Panel will be chaired by a senior official (Acting Deputy DirectorGeneral in the heritage branch) of the Department of Arts and Culture.
The Panel will have regular feedbacks.
6.4
One of the first tasks of the Panel will be to develop and agree on a
methodology and work plan.
6.5
The museum sector is huge and diverse; the Panel should reflect this
diversity. This will allow for the development of a policy framework that
addresses key challenges facing the sector.
6.6
The Panel is obliged to produce a national policy that can be
benchmarked against national and international instruments.
6.7
The national museums policy framework will not be a policy for
government funded museums only, but the whole country, as such, its
framing should reflect the diversity and depth of the South Africa
museum sector.
It will provide norms and standards for museums
through the country.
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7.
REQUIREMENTS
7.1
Experts must have demonstrable knowledge and experience in an
identified area within the museum context, amongst others, these
include:
7.1.1
Museology
7.1.2
Heritage management
7.1.3
Natural history
7.1.4
Cultural history
7.1.5
Living heritage
7.1.6
Curation
7.1.7
Education, outreach, audience development and marketing
7.1.8
Tourism
7.1.9
Financial management
7.2
Have experience in working on similar or related projects.
7.3
Have good reporting writing skills.
7.4
Have excellent liaison and communication skills.
7.5
Excellent knowledge and understanding of heritage policies and
legislation.
7.6
Be able to show sufficient networks / contacts that will serve as entry
points in the execution of the project.
7.7
Have proven good working relationship with multiple partners and able to
work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
7.8
Demonstrate knowledge and experience in research and research
methodology.
7.9
Each member of the Panel of Experts will be required to enter into a
Service Level Agreement with the Department of Arts and Culture.
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8.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
8.1
The Panel of Experts will receive remuneration for attending meetings as
well as services rendered during private time. Travel and subsistence
expenditures will be provided by the DAC. This remuneration will be in
line with Treasury Regulations.
8.2
Payments will be made based on attainment of key milestones as
specified in the Service Level Agreement.
9.
TIME FRAMES
The project must be completed by 31 March 2011.
10.
ENQUIRIES
All enquiries regarding the task description should be directed to Mr
Mbhazima Makhubele at telephone: (012) 441-3105, or by fax: (012)
441-3441, or by e-mail: Mbhazima.Makhubele@dac.gov.za