The 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit was a transformative event for Rio, held at the Museum of Modern Art. It showcased the Brazilian museum while rejuvenating that city’s cultural and economic landscape.

Let’s create the same opportunity for Joburg and the Joburg Art Gallery (JAG).  Read more about the petition rationale here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inner-city decline and mismanagement have stunted tourism, reduced economic activity, and undermined Johannesburg’s rich cultural potential. 

Hosting a 2025 G20 Summit Event at JAG would be a catalyst for:

• Inner city economic growth and job creation
• Tourism and global recognition of South Africa’s artistic heritage
• Cultural enrichment and community pride
• Urban renewal, improved infrastructure, and social inclusion

You can make a difference by acting now: Sign this petition to demand urgent action for a revitalised JAG and inner-city Johannesburg.

JAG is not just a gallery—it’s a hub of creativity, a centre of cultural exchange, and a repository of South Africa’s artistic heritage. 

With over 9,000 invaluable works, JAG houses one of the most significant art collections in the Southern Hemisphere, including early South African, African, European, and Asian masterpieces.

This collection belongs to the people of Johannesburg, entrusted to the City of Joburg as custodian. 

Yet, JAG has fallen into severe disrepair, failing in its mission to support local artists, foster cultural growth, and remain accessible to all citizens.

Art is central to democracy, as former US President John F. Kennedy said: "Art is the great democrat, calling forth creative genius from every sector of society, disregarding race or religion or wealth or colour."

This is a plea to the South African National Government, and specifically  call for intervention by the Ministry of Sports, Arts & Culture (Minister Gayton McKenzie) and the Gauteng Department of Education, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (MEC Matome Chiloane) to designate the JAG as one of the host venues for #G20SouthAfrica. 

These interventions must be aimed at:

• Restoring JAG’s infrastructure and governance
• Supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships 
• Fulfil JAG’s potential as a national landmark

These authorities need to urgently revive the Joburg Art Gallery’s correct function, stable institutional governance (including multi-stakeholder partnerships), its spirit and to fulfil its latent potential.

Designating JAG as a G20 South Africa Host Venue would compel local government to clean up and revitalise the inner city of Johannesburg while prioritising the restoration of this national institution and its priceless national treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

This is an opportunity to safeguard South Africa’s cultural heritage, and showcase our vibrant democracy to the world.

Let’s restore JAG and Inner City Joburg to its rightful place as a beacon of South Africa’s art, culture, and history. 

You can support the cause by becoming a Friend of JAG or donating to their efforts.

“Art for [Nelson Mandela] was, in a way, taking back his own life, and saying — this is how I want to interpret my life. Because I can’t forget where I come from and where my spirit is. If you look at the people who really pushed countries from one period to another and shifted the paradigms of a nation, it was through the arts. You look at Greece — it was the artists and the philosophers, it was not the politicians. A lot of people who were oppressed resorted to art or music to express themselves. Art is such a binding force. Without art which captures our culture, we don’t have history.” - Makaziwe Mandela-Amuah

#ArtIsDemocracy

#G20SouthAfrica