ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTS (AVA) GALLERY - Cape Town

AVA achieves this goal in several ways. Firstly, AVA hosts exhibitions which change every four weeks. This means that our space is never without an exhibition. An artist does not need to be a member of AVA to hold an exhibition here. All work exhibited goes through a selection procedure. AVA has a selection panel who meet every two months. Any artist who wishes to exhibit at AVA must bring in works on the day of the selection meeting for the panel to review. Their decision is made by majority vote. No feedback is given and their decision is final. It should be noted that being a member of AVA does not guarantee an artist an exhibition here. As the gallery space is divided into four sections, four exhibitions can be held simultaneously and these four shows all share one opening function.  

Show more

An exhibition at AVA comes with expenses. We try our best to keep these costs down by allowing the four exhibitors to share certain costs. However, the cost of gallery rental and invitations is not shared, but is borne by the individual artists. AVA exhibition expenses are among the lowest in Cape Town and our commission is the standard one third on all sales. On being accepted by the selection panel for an exhibition at AVA, the artist should enquire from the gallery staff as to the exhibition expenses that he/she will incur. The artist will then be required to enter into a contract with AVA re his/her exhibition. The AVA’s artreach fund is administered by a separate sub-committee of AVA, known as the Artreach committee. The purpose of AVA’s Artreach fund is to assist visual artists with their art-related needs. Finally, the AVA gallery director, as a result of a large workload, can only be consulted by appointment. It should not be assumed that the director will be available immediately for the benefit of the public. As in most professions, appointments guarantee personal attention, which should otherwise not be taken for granted.