The William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) is an art museum situated in the city of Kimberley, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
Nestled in the Oppenheimer Gardens, the William Humphreys Art Gallery is located in the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, within the Frances Baard District. It is considered one of the finest national art museums in South Africa.
Endearingly known as WHAG and conveniently situated in central South Africa, it remains one of the cultural gems for locals, and a must-see for patrons of the arts passing through the diamond city.
The museum was opened in 1952 and named after its principal benefactor, William Benbow Humphreys (1889 – 1965).
In 1948, William Humphreys donated to the city a substantial portion of his personal collection of 16th and 17th-century Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, British and French paintings, antique furniture, and other objects d’art.
This gift, combined with the South African works of art brought together by members of the Art Section of the Kimberley Athenaeum and The Max Greenberg Bequest, formed the nucleus of the collection.
The Humphreys Loan Collection and Timlin Collection, on indefinite loan from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, augment it. More recently, the Meyer Collection of European and Oriental Porcelain and the Lawson Collection of Old Master Drawings and Prints have been acquired.
At present, the Art Gallery concentrates on collecting South African works of art.
Apart from its primary function as a museum of art, the William Humphreys Art Gallery serves the community as an educational and cultural centre. Its activities include temporary exhibitions, art workshops mainly for children, development stimulation classes for pre-school children, craft workshops for unemployed women, lectures, video shows, and concerts.
The Art Gallery also has a successful outreach programme in which it takes graphic exhibitions to the small towns of the Northern Cape Province, where learners are exposed to the world of art. Guided tours are arranged on request.
The William Humphreys Art Gallery is one of three national art museums in South Africa (Iziko Museum in Cape Town and National Museum in Bloemfontein are the other two), and the only one in the Northern Cape.
The executive authority of the William Humphreys Art Gallery is the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture appoints the Gallery Council, which is the Accounting Authority.
Mandate
The William Humphreys Art Gallery derives its legislative and policy mandates primarily from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa; the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999, and the relevant Treasury Regulations, including the Public Service Act, as well as the Cultural Institutions Act, 119 of 1998, with the prescribed mandate of:
“To collect, preserve, conserve, and document research as well as exhibit works of art which represent the artistic heritage of all South Africans and utilise its assets for the edification, enrichment, and enjoyment of the people. “
Vision
The vision of the William Humphreys Art Gallery is to be a world-class art gallery of excellence that is accessible and relevant to all.
Mission
The mission of the William Humphreys Art Gallery is to collect, preserve, and conserve artworks that are representative of the cultural diversity and heritage of South Africa, Africa, and beyond.
Values
The values that the William Humphreys Art Gallery and staff subscribe to are documented in the South African Museums Association Code of Conduct, the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, and the Code of Conduct for Public Servants.
Facilities for hire
The William Humphreys Art Gallery has made its different halls available for hire for functions to public.
The Palette Tearoom is open to the public daily from 10:00 to 16:00 for light meals and refreshments.
The William Humphreys Art Gallery’s reference library is a valuable resource for school learners and students taking art as a subject.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Mr C Jeaven
Deputy Chairperson
- Mr V Blennies
Council Members
- Mr A Latchu
- Ms L Matala ([CA] SA)
- Dr S Mdluli
- Mr G Merahe
- Prof D Morris
- Ms Z Ngcibi
- Adv N Ribane
Director
- Ms Nelisiwe Mkhize
Chief Financial Officer
- Ms Martha Ramafalo
Senior Management
- Mr V Blennies (Chairperson: Core Functions Committee)
- Ms L Matlala ([CA] SA: Chairperson: Audit and Risk Committee)
- Ms Z Ngcibi (Chairperson: Human Resources Management Committee)
Communications Officers
- n/a
Contact Details
The contact details of the William Humphreys Art Gallery are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 1 Cullinan Crescent, Civic Centre, Kimberley, Northern Cape 8300 |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 885, Kimberley, 8300 |
| Telephone: | 053 831 1724 / 5 |
| Fax: | 053 832 2221 |
| Email: | enquiries@whag.co.za |
| Website: | www.whag.co.za |
READ MORE:
➜ List of Galleries, Museums, and Theatres in South Africa
➜ National Government of South Africa
| Galleries, Museums & Theatres under South Africa’s National Government |
|---|
| Amazwi South African Museum of Literature . Artscape Theatre Centre . Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument . Ditsong: Museums of South Africa . Freedom Park . Iziko Museums of South Africa . KwaZulu-Natal Museum . Luthuli Museum . Mandela Bay Theatre Complex . Market Theatre Foundation . National Museum in Bloemfontein . Nelson Mandela Museum . Robben Island Museum . South African State Theatre . The Playhouse Company . uMsunduzi Museum . War Museum of the Boer Republics . William Humphreys Art Gallery |
