This forwarded to me from our friend Miss Thandi:

Dear Emma,

Please consider my concern regarding your advertised Trainee Curator at
SANG. I am wondering how many potential candidates “from historically
disadvantaged groups” that would apply given the stipulated required
“Minimum qualification Minimum qualification: BA Degree in Fine Arts or
History of Art”? I am thinking of young black art practictioners who have
no university or college qualification as required, for example graduates
of Community Art Projects (AMAC), Ruth Prowse, Fuba, etc – from community
driven initiatives or organisation!

The question then, is who really is your targetted candidates “from
historically disadvantaged groups”, if those without formally recognized
qualification seem to be calculatedly excluded regarding unaddressed
politics of ‘qualification’?

Maybe this recruitment should be clear about its targeted candidate. Be
frank about inviting or soliciting formally trained (university/college)
graduates. If that being the case, then remove such patronizing stigma:
“historically disadvantaged groups”! For some black students with
university/college degrees in Fine Arts are not from disadvantaged
families; some are from middle and upper class families who do not neatly
and un-problematically fit to the categorization: “historically
disadvantaged groups”.

Another factor is the pretentious or rather unfound required qualification
of BA in History of Art from historically disadvantaged groups. If such
groups are black students, then, one should be plausible to ask not only
how many black students have qualification in/of BA in History of Art in
South Africa; but also who are such black students expected to have a
qualification in BA in History of Art. I say this in light of my lack of
knowledge black students with qualification with BA in History of Art, let
alone how many in South African are registered in the discipline!

My point should be clear: there is need to specify who are targeted
candidates for this Trainee Curator at SANG? This points to question of
transparence and sincerity of such recruitment processes and their
anticipated outcomes.

Some explanation or rather debate is important on this important move SANG
is making to address the “serious shortage of qualified, trained or
experienced art curators in South Africa from historically disadvantages
groups”. While questions regarding who is both qualified and experienced
to train or mentor whom at SANG are really pressing questions that demand
response, for now I will pause here, of course hoping to hear your
response to the above concerns.


Regards,
Thembinkosi