The City of Cape Town's Department of Community, Arts and Cultural Development has decided it does not want to renew the lease of the Durbanville Cultural Society that is currently operating the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum. If this decision is approved, Rust-en-Vrede Gallery will have to vacate its historic premises and close its doors after nearly 40 years of serving as a hub for local and international art and culture. Read more about it here.

We are standing firm for our artists and our community amidst this uncertainty - and we need your help.

Should we lose our place at Rust-en-Vrede, our gallery and museum will be displaced and our national competitions disrupted; our exhibitions and art classes and outreach will be cancelled; our tenants and staff will face job loss. An established arts institution, which has shaped and served the Western Cape’s cultural identity for nearly four decades, will be pushed aside after a lifetime of contribution.

We respectfully appeal to our community, artists, alumni, and cultural supporters:
📢 Share your stories
📢 Engage your local councillors
📢 Make your voice heard

Rust-en-Vrede is more than just a gallery. It is a cultural lifeline. A classroom. A launchpad. A legacy. Help us ensure it remains a part of Durbanville’s future.