The Digital Vault was lunched last week by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health lduring an event at the City Hall. With the Digital Vault, residents, and people around the world, can access and explore the interesting artworks and heritage items that make up the City’s collection.
The City’s Community Arts and Culture Development Department has developed a digital tool in partnership with the City’s Information Systems and Technology Department, on which City artworks and heritage items can be recorded by City officials and viewed by the public. Each item in the vault is listed with high quality images, descriptive information and some of the stories that make the item valuable and important. Artists and the public can also apply for a Public Art Permit via the Digital Vault, making this process much more convenient for both the applicants and City officials.
The launch of the Digital Vault during Heritage month strengthens the City’s commitment to preserve the history, diverse cultures and heritage of a world class city.
The Digital Vault has an internal database that will be used by City officials to catalogue art and heritage items, and to record information that is essential for the management and care, such as the location, condition and value of each item.
The City of Cape Town’s rich and varied history is reflected in its collections. The collections include paintings, sculptures, memorials, murals, antique furniture, medals, Mayoral Regalia and other interesting artefacts. Some of the items on the Digital Vault are in public spaces and on exhibition. For example, the Delville Wood Memorial in the Company’s Garden (see photo above), and the Civic Collection Exhibition at the City Hall, a collection of unique, valuable and irreplaceable movable heritage assets (historical, archaeological, scientific and artistic) that reflect the history and growth of Cape Town. The Attic at the City Hall is still home to the exhibition which is managed by the Arts and Culture Development Branch.
Irma Stern
Other items on the Digital Vault are not generally accessible to the public, as they are located in City offices or kept in storage, for example an Irma Stern painting from her Zanzibar period.
‘The digital vault is an incredible resource, whether you are a student, a school learner, an academic researcher, an art lover or just a regular Capetonian curious about the rich history and stories of our city as expressed through art and collected items. As far as we know, this is the first such public-facing digital catalogue of art and heritage assets in South Africa, and we are very excited for people to start using it,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
‘The Digital Vault allows everyone to have access to the art and historical artefacts in our city. It is very important to us that the collections which the City manages and cares for are accessible, so people can learn, appreciate, and be inspired by them. We believe in the importance of preserving, investigating and sharing our heritage, because it is essential for people’s identity building, and creating a sense of belonging,’ said Mayoral committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
The Vault can be accessed and explored by visiting HERE.
The Vault can also be accessed by scanning the QR code;
The City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Development Branch would also like to invite the public to make contact with them, should they have additional information or interesting stories about any of the items on the Digital Vault. Information in this regard can be sent to E Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za
WHAT: Digital Vault
WHERE: HERE | or see QR code above
INFO: E Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za | See also Cape Town Green Map
