HEAT
Partners
AVA
35 Church Street
The Association for Visual Arts is a membership-based, non-profit arts organization dedicated to advancing and promoting South African contemporary art and artists. Located at 35 Church Street since 1971, AVA is Cape Town's oldest non-profit gallery. Founded in 1850 and initially named the South African Fine Arts Society, AVA was initially an art gallery and library for exhibiting art. AVA aims to foster a neutral space in Cape Town's art scene while supporting the industry through various initiatives and increasing public awareness of visual art. Through its ArtResearch Programme, AVA funds artists, focusing on assisting with skills transfer, materials, art infrastructure, and exposure.
https://www.ava.co.za/
Christopher Moller
7 Kloof Nek Road
Christopher Moller, established in 2008 is one of South Africa's foremost contemporary art galleries. It represents a fusion of tradition and modernity, serving as a space for artists to flourish and clients to broaden their collections They champion the transformative power of art. Dedicated to their artists and pushing today's conversations forward, Christopher Moller seeks to showcase African artists whose work addresses relevant, thought-provoking, and powerful themes.
https://www.christophermollerart.co.za/
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EBONY/CURATED
67 Loop Street
EBONY/CURATED is a prominent South African gallery that showcases both classic and contemporary African Art, as well as African design (such as furniture.) Established in 2007 in Franschhoek, EBONY/CURATED opened a second gallery on Loop Street in Cape Town in 2011, with the Cape Town space focusing on exhibiting contemporary and modern African art from emerging and established South African artists. Renowned for discovering emerging talent from the continent and greater African Diaspora, EBONY/CURATED prides itself on its curator's ability to find and uplift new and exciting artists.
Eclectica Contemporary
56 Church Street
Eclectica Contemporary was established in 2016 as a gallery that aims to offer thoughtfully curated collections, delving into the pertinent issues of our modern, interconnected world. It defines itself as an African gallery with a global perspective. Celebrating the rich diversity of artistic expression in Africa, they seek to present emerging and established African talent to a global market. Additionally, Eclectica Contemporary's gallery space accommodates experimental, new media, and project-based works, reflecting their commitment to highlight innovation and exploration in arts.
Kalashnikovv
61 Loop Street
Kalashnikovv Gallery was founded in 2013 to challenge the traditional white cube gallery model by pioneering an alternative approach to visual arts. As a contemporary Fine Art gallery and project space, Kalashnikovv prioritizes collaborative partnerships with artists, intent on providing a platform for both up-and-coming and established artists. By balancing commercial art with experimental projects, Kalashnikovv fosters socio-political engagement and art accessibility. Committed to expanding its global reach, Kalashnikovv collaborates with creators and art networks worldwide, allowing them to constantly challenge conventions and redefine the role of contemporary art platforms.
99 Loop Gallery
99 Loop Street
99 Loop is a dynamic contemporary art space. Established in 2015 as an inclusive platform, 99 Loop champions creatives whose work delves into personal narratives and lived experiences that intertwine with broader cultural and aesthetic contexts. With a curatorial emphasis on painting, the gallery serves to foster collaboration with both seasoned and up-and-coming local artists. Through its exhibitions, 99 Loop aims to challenge conventions and norms and embrace subversion and dynamism, standing as a space dedicated to enriching the ever-evolving discourse within the art world.
Michaelis
University of Cape Town, Hiddingh Campus
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Nel
117 Long Street
Reservoir Projects
68 Bree Street
7th Floor
Michaelis Galleries are part of the Michaelis School of Fine Art and are located on UCT's Hiddingh Campus. These galleries offer Michaelis staff and students the opportunity to exhibit their artwork or curated exhibitions in a non-commercial, experimental setting. Hosting a diverse array of temporary exhibitions year-round, Michaelis Galleries collaborates with alumni as well as local and international artists and art organisations to showcase noteworthy exhibitions. Moreover, Michaelis Galleries serves as a venue for displaying UCT's art and manuscript collections. Despite being a university building, Michaelis Galleries is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 15:00, aligning with its mission to promote and celebrate visual arts within a broader community. They also regularly host open lectures, walkabouts, and workshops.
https://humanities.uct.ac.za/michaelis/michaelis-galleries/about-galleries
Nel is an artist-owned and operated space nestled in amongst Cape Town's vibrant art, antiques, and design district. Nel presents a dynamic array of paintings, sculptures, and ceramics in an ever-evolving showcase since 2019. Throughout the year, the gallery hosts solo and two-person exhibitions which are curated to highlight the diverse talent of local artists, paying special focus to those hailing from Cape Town. However, Nel also represents artists from across the globe, ensuring a rich and varied representation of artistic voices.
RESERVOIR Projects was founded in 2021 as an independent partnership between Heinrich Groenewald and Shona van der Merwe specialising in collaborative curation. Emerging as a response to the complex art world ecosystem (encompassing its relationships, experiences, opportunities, and visions) on systemic and personal levels, Groenewald and Van der Merwe utilise their collective decade of experience in the South African art industry to create a platform which redefines the role of a curator. Unlike typical rebellions against institutional norms, RESERVOIR's ethos is rooted in a desire to enhance South Africa's artistic landscape. It adopts a refreshing approach centered around nurturing genuine connections and embracing new perspectives.
Sisonke
Cape Heritage Hotel
90 Bree Street
Under the Aegis
17 Jamieson Street
Union House
(Spier Arts Trust)
25 Commercial Street
Sisonke Gallery is housed inside the Cape Heritage Hotel and was established in 2021 with the aim to uplift and support local artists. Their name Sisonke translates from Zulu to “togetherness”, which encapsulates their mission of fostering an artist community within their space. Sisonke Gallery aims to cultivate meaningful connections with artists and provide them with a platform to showcase impactful and meaningful works.
Union House serves as a location for the Spier Arts Trust, an initiative that oversees a range of career development opportunities for fine artists, including Spier Arts Academy and Creative Block. Union House aids Spier Arts Trust as an exhibition space. Recognising the significant cultural contribution of art to South Africa's creative economy, Spier Arts Trust aims to empower artists by fostering an environment of creative freedom, thereby not only facilitating successful careers in art but also unlocking these artists' potential for social transformation.
Under The Aegis was established in 2020 by curator Anelisa Mangcu as a curatorial and art advisory firm dedicated to fostering connections between artists, collectors, and institutional collections across the African continent and its diaspora. They aim to both empower artists in realising their creative potential and to challenge societal norms through their art. Through their advisory services, Under The Aegis offers artists the support and resources necessary to thrive in a competitive industry. Additionally, their exhibitions provide a global platform for artists to showcase their work. Committed to amplifying diverse voices and celebrating intersectional identities, Under The Aegis marks a new era of inclusivity and innovation in the art world.
Vela Projects
66 Plein Street
Vela Projects is a fine art gallery specialising in the showcase of contemporary artworks by South African and African artists. In addition to its primary focus on contemporary artists, Vela Projects actively engages in the secondary market by promoting the works of modern artists and highlighting Africa's rich history of artistic practices. Curating both represented and non-represented artists, Vela Projects presents an engaging exhibition programme that reflects the current global landscape whilst fostering the growth of their artist's careers.
Slowlife
Olympia Bakery,
Kalk Bay
Slowlife is a conceptual jazz café and pop-up jazz platform started in 2013 by Paul Kahanovitz. The inaugural Slowlife Cafe, situated in Muizenberg from 2013-2015, became a hub for artistic endeavors spanning art, craft, film, photography, DJ sets, and live music. In 2017, Kahanovitz began a long-term partnership with Olympia Bakery in Kalk Bay, which is now his primary venue for showcasing live music, film, and theatre. Slowlife has also hosted jazz events at venues such as The Labia and the Fugard Theatre and has collaborated with many talented South African artists. Slowlife boasts an extensive repertoire of over 500 shows, including artists such as Derek Gripper, Guy Buttery, McCoy Mrubata, and Madala Kunene.
WORLDART
54 Church Street
WORLDART is a commercial gallery that has specialised in championing African urban-contemporary artists since 2004. The gallery is located at 54 Church Street, Cape Town, and boasts a history of collaboration with artists who draw inspiration from street art, urban landscapes, graffiti, pop culture, graphic design, and illustration. WORLDART is recognized as a trailblazer in showcasing both emerging and established local artists. Their goal is to provide their artists with an international platform to reach a broader audience.
Spin Gallery
6 Spin Street
Spin Street Gallery is a unique multi-purpose venue on 6 Spin Street, Cape Town, which comprises a gallery, event space, and restaurant. Spin Street Gallery aims to be a welcoming environment for adults and children alike, hoping to foster engagement and discussions relating to their artwork.
UCT Opera
University of Cape Town
Lover's Walk, Lower Campus
UCT Opera is an extension of UCT's musical programme and South Africa’s oldest opera and performance institution. As a pioneer in opera transformation, Opera UCT provides comprehensive training in the operatic arts, holding multiple professional performances at the Baxter and Artscape Theatres, aiming to promote their performers to an international stage. This programme has been curated by Jeremy Silver, an internationally renowned conductor trained at Clare College in Cambridge and The Royal Academy of Music (UK). His repertoire spans from classical to contemporary, premiering works by composers such as Howard Thomas and collaborating with emerging new musical talents. Silver is currently a staff conductor at the English National Opera in London as well as the Music Director of Opera Brava.
Wave Cafe Theatre
44 Long Street
The Wave Cafe Theatre was created in 2022 in collaboration between musician Alistair Izobell, Camissa Solutions, and Gary Kruser, and includes a theatre, online radio station, and space for small businesses. Wave Cafe Theatre plays an important role in fostering collaboration among artists and businesses, emphasizing creativity and youth engagement. Situated in the former historical New Space Theatre, Wave Theatre aims to be a catalyst for shaping a new future by hosting diverse events and discussions on community issues, embodying a dynamic, inclusive cultural hub.