SPARK
The Orchards Project NPC
DETAILS OF PROPERTY
Property description: ORCHARDS
Complex includes: Spark GALLERY , Tipper Building and Roofless Building
Street Address: 5A Pine Street, Orchards, Johannesburg South Africa
Zoning: SPECIAL Amendment Scheme 1453E
MOTIVATION AND FURTHER COMMENTS:
1. The present Board established Jan 2009, has shown their dedication and perseverance in bringing
the Orchards Project to the beginning of a new era where the venue and associated buildings can become the single most important creative venue in the North Eastern portion of Johannesburg and specifically Region E. Suffice to say that the premises in 2000 were uninhabitable and due to the vision and foresight of the Orchards Project Board many improvements were carried out that enhanced the viability of the building for community use. The Orchards Project has spent many millions on skills projects over the past 13 years .
2. CURRENT STATUS:
The North Eastern area of Johannesburg has been sadly neglected and the Spark Gallery has provided a viable point of activity for the residents and artists of Alexandra and the immediate suburbs of Orange Grove, Victoria, Highlands North and Norwood, to mention a few. The closure in 2007 to December 2009 for the compliance upgrade seriously curtailed the ability of the Orchards Project to assist emerging artists from this community. As an integral part of the Paterson Park Precinct the development of the Orchards Project Art Complex is a dynamic creative venue for both local and overseas visitors. It is an anchor point for the ongoing development of the precinct. As alluded to above regarding the LOTTO funding the facility has been extensively upgraded to accommodate a variety of skills development programmes and related workshops through the CoJ Dept of Art & Culture. The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) has provided the funding for the Skills Training Programs.
3. INITIATIVES:
One example is the recent use of our venue for the “CARNIVAL” construction and skills development. The Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the City has been running a Carnival programmes for the last 5 and 6 years respectively as part of the Gauteng Heritage Month Celebrations for Province and alternative entertainment and activities for people living and working in the Inner-City of Johannesburg. International best practice shows that Carnival has enormous scope as it combines both the performing and visual arts in one of the largest participatory events possible. It is a celebration of collective identity in which life and art are not separate. It is a civic event involving regeneration and the celebration of life . Giant floats, colorful costumes, puppets of all shapes and sizes, acrobats, jugglers, dancers and performers of every type bring life to the city as they wind their way through the streets. No one is a spectator in carnival as the participants and observers flow together rhythmically to the sounds of the decorated musical floats. Communities around the world use carnival to celebrate their histories and re-imaging themselves in the future by building on the traditions and the stories of the past. Carnival has become a creative and colorful way for communities to give voice to their political, social and artistic aspirations in a celebratory mood. In terms of economic benefits carnival has demonstrated across the world how it can contribute to job creation and economic growth through tourism. This has called for a review of how the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the City will continue to host the carnival. It is intended that the outlined approach will create an enabling environment in which an appropriate South African Carnival will develop. The Gauteng and City Carnivals has made use of the Orchards Project Creative Arts Complex during the periods 2009-2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The space has however become too small for all carnival activities to happen there. It is with this in mind that Gauteng and City Carnivals requested the use of the Tipper building as the high ceiling and the building’s overall design lends itself to the production of carnival. The Orchards Project facilitated this in partnership with Pikitup and the building is dedicated temporarily to various aspects of Carnival. Other initiatives include a home for the Giant Puppets promoted by the French Institute of South Africa .The interface with the Dept of Arts & Culture CoJ has been ongoing and some of the programs for our Skills Development have been organized by them. We have an existing MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the CoJ Dept of Arts , Culture & Heritage.
4. SECURING THE INVESTMENT: Refurbishment 2009-2010-2011
a. The recent funding in 2009-10 allowed us to implement substantial capital upgrades including the following:
I. An inner palisade fence with electronic gate & keypad are installed. CCTV is installed in driveway entrance ,inner gate and Gallery entrance
III. Total renewal of gallery lighting
IV. Main Corridor lighting installation
V. New sound system
VI. Office upgrade
VII. Miscellaneous items, materials purchases for training etc. Payment of trainers & salaries
Further to this, an effective administrative infrastructure has been added to the facility. The facility has a unique identity and the acknowledgement and awareness of the facility is growing daily. Ongoing requests are being fielded to utilize the premises for a wide range of events. This is precisely what the Orchards Project management intended from the outset. This growing interest is seen as catalytic to a healthy and long future with ongoing funding. The realization of self generated income as well as appropriate marketing and media support will promote a strong and prosperous future that has vital growth potential.
5. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE ART COMPLEX 2013-2015
The Art Complex includes a building that is subject to an agreement between the Orchards Project and Pikitup. This is The TIPPER/STORAGE Building ( Future Multi function theatre/TV complex)
Planned development of interlinking open spaces that are contingent to the greater public facility use within the ART COMPLEX include:
• Landscaped area between Gallery and Tipper Building ( outdoor restaurant/tea garden)
• Active area between Gallery and Roofless Building /expansion area for in-house artist studios
• Area for Craft/Flea/ Organic Market
6. DEFINITION INTERPRETATION RE: Amendment Scheme
Community Purposes, as an overriding / core definition will be deemed to be the following:
1. Entrepreneurial Skills Development:
New / pioneering and innovating with either a starting or renewed program of effort. Risk taking is a part, but with appropriate skills and relevant qualifications this is minimized.
2. Skills Testing and Accreditation:
Ensuring that the skills development is in a robust and “testable” state to take the entrepreneur beyond the learning and theoretical level and be able to survive and prosper in a competitive society / realm.
3. Research about appropriate fields of Training:
Understanding the dynamics and requirements of the trainees / programs.
4. Training Facilities serving all Sectors of Society:
As per the above point, catering to the dynamics and requirements of the trainees / programs. Flexible and diverse choices must be available.
5. A Craft Shop, including purposes of exhibitions
a. A dedicated retail facility where both the display and manufacture of the end product is catered for.
6. A Gallery including all related activities:
7. Organic Market
a. Food Garden; As per the Organic Market planned and proposed but with thematic and specific “fashion” produce related to art and craft production and marketing.
8. Use of the site for Recreational Purposes, Workshops and Private Functions
a. Recreational Purposes; Martial Arts as an example with related thematic training related to the Recreation Centre programs. Other Recreation as spin-off and related to all programs at Paterson Park Recreation Centre.
9. Workshops; Related to core function of the Art Complex.
10. Private Functions; Related to core function of the Art Complex. For the Art Complex to function in the envisaged manner, it must align with the details of this Amendment Scheme. This is in terms of function that can be defined as per the above detail. Most of the interpretation is based on both common understanding of the terminology as well as catering for the envisaged and current use on the property. Town Planning definitions and interpretations are limited in these instances, so the logical path followed is aligned with the intent of the Amendment Scheme, that being to permit the facilitation of an Art Complex along the lines of the approved conditions. The vision present when the rights were approved in 2002 remains fundamental to the current intention for the property. The agreement entered into between PIKITUP and The Orchards Project NPC has transferred the occupation of the Tipper Building for our use. An agreement is being finalized with Province for the use of the storage/tipper building specifically for CARNIVAL and The Giant Puppets.
7. CONCLUSION
In conclusion the past funding from LOTTO has allowed us to implement upgrades to our security and install serviceable lighting in the main gallery and central corridor. The installation of a new sound system along with the establishment of a modern office system is helping to create viable admin system for the specifics of our particular operation. Further security upgrades are in process now. The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF)
The Orchards Project NPC and SPARK
The Orchards Project submitted a funding proposal to The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) in April of 2011. In July 2013, the Orchards Project was granted a total of R4, 517,000.00. The first tranche of R2, 500,000.00 was made available in August 2013. The Projects that were identified in the original funding proposal are in the process of implementation. The NLDTF funds make possible specific projects that are outlined in the application process and we are bound by the agreement with the NLDTF to use the funds only for these approved projects. The main thrust of the Orchards Project/Spark Gallery/Art Complex is to create a self-sustaining composite of income producing entrepreneur based projects that are self-reliant. These projects will endeavor to form public/private partnerships to drive skills-trained employment in the small business community. Training in basic business practice is necessary to empower people to be able to quote competitively and market their newly acquired skills. To this end we are providing Entrepreneurial Workshops in conjunction with all skills development programs. The grant from the NLDTF has enabled us to continue with our skills development work serving the communities in the North East of Johannesburg.
