Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Ndoli Jowei - A celebration of African women artists (ID: 21852977)/Final Report
Report Status: Accepted
Due date: 2022-10-20T00:00:00Z
Funding program: Rapid Fund, Wikimedia Community Fund
Report type: Final
This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the grantmaking web service of Wikimedia Foundation where the user has submitted their midpoint report. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.General information[edit]
- Title of Proposal: Ndoli Jowei - A celebration of African women artists
- Username of Applicant: KgomotsoRamushu
- Name of Organization: N/A
- Amount awarded: 4215.64
- Amount spent: 4200 USD, 71349 ZAR
Part 1 Understanding your work[edit]
1. Briefly describe how your proposed activities and strategies were implemented
Three workshops were held as follows: a. Botaki ba Afrika 11 September 2022 - This event was advertised through email invitations and social media. The venue owners and artists in attendance were introduced to the concept of Ndoli Jowei as well as editing Wikipedia. b. Bridge Books 17 September 2022 - This event was advertised on Bridge books’ mailer and social media. There were 12 participants in this workshop excluding organizers. A group of students from Funda Community College were transported from Soweto. This was a more seamless experience with the venue providing a high quality projector, participants arriving on time and all proposed agenda items covered. This was a highly interactive workshop with great engagement and questions. The participants were very enthusiastic to make edits, find out about referencing methods and how to use Wikipedia for their own research. Regrettably, a number did not have functional devices but a plan was made. c. Botaki ba Afrika 15 October 2022 - Another workshop was held at Botaki ba Afrika on 15 October 2022. 13 participants confirmed attendance and 6 attended. The programme attached below was used with changes in the musical performances. Bokang Ramatlapaneng (her_own_skin on Instagram and online music platforms) performed at the first event, Ms Isis at the second and there was no performance at the last event.
2. Were there any strategies or approaches that you felt were effective in achieving your goals? Please describe these strategies and approaches.
I began by attending Wikimania where I met Wikimedians and had an immersive experience. In the first month of the grant, relationships were built and strengthened with institutions Each workshop was constituted of multi – lingual groups with varied interests. This led to interesting discussion about how languages are represented and the opportunities for first and second language speakers to contribute to Wikipedia and the digitalization of their languages. Interest in developing African languages pages was piqued. New, youthful audiences were reached, and information sharing occurred. Students require reliable sources of information for assignments, so it was interesting to hear their views on the ‘reliability’ of Wikipedia and dispel myths while equipping with them with tools to use Wikipedia as a stepping stone to access GLAM spaces. Attendance of experienced Wikimedians Bobby Shabangu & Mohau Monaledi provided invaluable knowledge and support. Musical performances garnered interest and outreach to audiences who follow musicians. The workshop participants also saw how participating in the Wikipedia community is an opportunity to co – create knowledge in a relatively informal setting. Social media was used to reach audiences and the page is growing steadily. It is also a space for people to revisit workshop highlights, upcoming events and share resources.
3. Please use this space to upload media and other files that help tell your story and impact.
Field to type in URLs.
4. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with the support of this Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals.
| A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups | Strongly agree |
| B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community | Strongly agree |
| C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups | Agree |
| D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives | Strongly agree |
| E. Encourage the retention of editors | Strongly agree |
| F. Encourage the retention of organizers | Strongly agree |
5. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your efforts helped to bring in participants and/or build out content, particularly for underrepresented groups?
This is a small but significant step towards increasing the coverage gap. The workshops focused exclusively on South African and African pages and the possibilities. The workshops also encouraged more contribution by Africans and women in particular. This group is under represented in terms of contribution and coverage on Wikipedia.
Part 2: Your main learning[edit]
6. In your application, you outlined your learning priorities. What did you learn about these areas during this period?
The programme focused on documenting biographies, exhibitions, curatorial praxis and sharing knowledge about African women’s artistic practices. A model was developed, and tested three times. There was an opportunity for skills transfer and troubleshooting. This was an example of ‘Training the trainer.’ The coordinator garnered hands-on experience of planning, marketing, hosting and working with Wikimedia interfaces. From creating user profiles, the myriad resources such as the Wikibooks, Wikispecies and more, there is an abundance of knowledge to be archived for posterity. There was demonstrable learning and knowledge transfer of the modalities of editing, referencing and creating articles have also been learning priorities which are being achieved, with room for improvement. Some articles have already been reviewed and flagged for referencing errors. The main learning related to creating and using a dashboard, with the guidance of Wikimedia ZA rep Bobby Shabangu. The principles of Wikipedia were well understood and this will hopefully result in quality, well - researched contributions over time. This report and content which will derive from this ongoing project will be used to approach more established institutions to encourage them to build a relationship with Wikimedia ZA and to utilise Wikipedia’s platforms, resources, and networks to advance their educational goals. Finally the social media pages are a living archive, a publicly accessible hared repository.
7. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities?This can include both positive and negative situations. What did you learn from those experiences?
There were some misunderstandings with equipment hire, specifically projectors and screens which affected the quality of the first workshop. The cost of hiring a projector did not yield results with venue owners disappointing. This was ultimately rectified but an unfortunate initial oversight and unplanned cost. Secondly, the digital divide was palpable in the different experiences of participants and the level of support required. Hosting edit-a-thons is thus an opportunity to share resources and skills beyond Wikipedia, to foster a sense of confidence amongst participants and to remind them of their agency as internet users. The pace was slowed down where required and the presenters switched easily between the laptop and digital options. Additionally, multi-lingual groups with varied interests interacted with Wikipedia, created accounts and learnt how to edit; concept understood and goodwill garnered with institutions whose students / members use Wikipedia and can made meaningful contributions. The social media footprint is gaining momentum & there is continued interest in the programme or requests for follow ups. There was a misunderstanding or disjuncture in the desired reporting by the Rapid Fund and the local chapter's. A template was generously supplied to upload a report which was since removed and the report uploaded on the correct platform. It was a great guide to be amended for the Fluxx portal. An admin checklist has been created for future.
8. How do you hope to use this learning? For instance, do you have any new priorities, ideas for activities, or goals for the future?
Rapport has been built and interest has been garnered to co – host workshops or market workshops within networks in the near future. Relationships have been built and seeds sown for edit-a-thons and Wikimedia related activations with the Africa Open Institute, Funda Community College, Springs Art Gallery, Tshwane Arts Hub and Bridge Books. This was an opportunity to build community and garner interest in Wikipedia editing. Attendees and the grant holder just need to gain more experience using Wikipedia to confidently translate content.
9. Documentation of resources: Use this space to upload any documents that would be useful to share with others (e.g. communications material, training material, presentations).
Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
https://www.instagram.com/ndolijowei/
Part 3: Metrics[edit]
10a. Open Metrics reporting
In your application, you defined some open metrics and targets (goals). You will see a table like the one below with your metric in the title and the target you set in your proposal automatically filled in. Use the tables to report the result. Use the comments column to describe any aspects of this result that you find relevant. If the results were different from the initial target (goals) then you can explain why and what you learned from this. You can also provide any qualitative analysis regarding these results. In the last column please describe the tools and methodology used to collect this data and any difficulties you might have had.
| Open Metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles | Biographies of African women artists | 20 | 7 | There was a serious technology gap between the aspirations and the reality during the workshops. More time was taken navigating the platform and transferring computer / technological literacy tools. Some articles are still under review. | Dashboard |
| Pages | Exhibitions; Curator; Artists | 10 | 7 | Same as above | N/A |
| Files | Open source images; programmes; posters | 20 | 0 | This outcome was not met by workshop participants, only the convenor gained experience in this regard. A photo specific session / challenge has been planned with one of the partners and the co - convenor Lerato Khuzwayo who is a professional photographer. | N/A |
| Page edits | Exhibitions; Curator; Artists | 10 | 26 | N/A | https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Botaki_ba_Afrika/Ndoli_Jowei_-_A_celebration_of_African_women_artists/home |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
10b. Core Metrics reporting
In your application, you defined targets for some core metrics and targets (goals). You will see a table like the one below with each core metric in the title and the target you set in your proposal automatically filled in. Use the tables to report the result. Use the comments column to describe any aspects of this result that you find relevant. If the results were different from the initial target (goals) then you can explain why and what you learned from this. You can also provide any qualitative analysis regarding these results. In the last column please describe the tools and methodology used to collect this data and any difficulties you might have had. Note: a table will appear for each Wikimedia project content contribution you defined in your proposal.
| Core metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 10 participants in 3 workshops. Practicing artists, independent curators and arts non profit organization members | 30 | 30 | Some participants did not sign the attendance register so there is a slightly higher number than than reported. One of the administrators' tasks in future will be to sign the attendance registers at the beginning of the edit - a -thon or event. | Attendance registers |
| Number of editors | 2 | 2 | 17 | 17 New registered users created accounts and attempted first edits. (18 in dashboard includes convenor, account set up before dashboard) | https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Botaki_ba_Afrika/Ndoli_Jowei_-_A_celebration_of_African_women_artists/students/overview |
| Number of organizers | 2 convenors will oversee project | 2 | 2 | The main convenor was Kgomotso Ramushu with assistance by Lerato Khuzwayo. There was a need for great skills sharing with the latter and this process is ongoing. Bobby Shabangu from Wikimedia ZA was the main facilitator / knowledge transfer. | Attendance registers / email correspondence |
| Wikimedia Project | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Session duration (hours) | 10 | 10 | Whilst time was spent navigating the 'wiki-verse', setting up accounts and answering questions, not enough focused, silent editing time was carved out during the sessions. Introducing newbie editors requires more time to be invested. A lot of time was spent setting up accounts, introducing people to the interface and easing into editing. Follow up edit-a-thons and the attraction of a more experienced crowd will yield results. There was a timing problem as experienced Wikimedians invited to the workshops were unavailable during the grant period due to on- campus commitments. | Events programmes - 3 workshops were held |
| Wikipedia | Sign ups | 10 | 17 | Apart from the main convenor, most participants included in the dashboard and the sessions were new sign - ups. Their enthusiasm was heartening and there is need for follow up to encourage continuous editing. | Dashboard: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Botaki_ba_Afrika/Ndoli_Jowei_-_A_celebration_of_African_women_artists/home |
| Wikipedia | Newbie Editors (at least 2 pages edited or created) | 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wikipedia | Content - Edits | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wikipedia | Content - new pages
This includes creation of one (1) page in Sepedi on visual art in Africa. |
3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
12. Did you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results? This could include things like a lack of time or resources, or the expertise in your team to collect this data. It could also include difficulties with particular data collection tools.
No
12a. State what difficulties you had.
N/A
12b. How do you hope to overcome these challenges in the future? Do you have any recommendations for the Foundation to support you in addressing these challenges?
N/A
13. Use this space to upload any documents and provide links to any tools you have used that would be useful to understand your data collection (e.g., surveys you have carried out, communications material, training material, program and event dashboard link, project page on Meta).
Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
N/A
14. Have you shared these results with other Wikimedian communities (either affiliates, user groups, volunteers, etc., different to yours)? This can include things such as data and direct outcomes, lessons you have learned, or information on how to run or recreate your programs.
No
14a. If yes or partially, please describe how you have already shared them and if you would like to do more sharing, and if so how.
Part 4: Financial reporting and compliance[edit]
15. & 14a. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency.
71349 ZAR
16. Please state the total amount spent in USD.
4200 USD
17. Please report the funds received and spending in the currency of your fund.
17a. Upload a financial report file.
17b. Please provide a link to your financial reporting document.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yd8lbvCkb6pkfflRzdi9iIeWnapIR2YD
As required in the fund agreement, please report any deviations from your fund proposal here. Note that, among other things, any changes must be consistent with our WMF mission, must be for charitable purposes as defined in the grant agreement, and must otherwise comply with the grant agreement.
17c. If you have not already done so in your budget report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal.
The purchase of a projector was not anticipated. This investment will be useful for workshops which are upcoming / planned. Following the attendance of Wikimania at Constitution Hill organized by the WikimediaZA chapter, I saw how the inclusion of live music made the session more interactive and dynamic and it added value to the workshop.
18. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?
No
18a. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.
N/A
18b. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?
N/A
18c. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.
N/A
19. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?
Yes
20. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?
Yes
21. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.
Yes
22. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here.
Marketing events primarily held on a Saturday proved challenging. There were higher RSVPs than attendance, particularly in Tshwane. Initially, the projector quality was poor. A second-hand one was sought as it was not initially budgeted for and this proved inadequate, it was ultimately resolved and a purchase is in progress. At the onset there were network and connectivity challenges, due to inexperience and poor preparation of Wifi signage and devices that can host more than -7 people a time. A novice error was made and revised by the second workshop. This grant was an opportunity to build community and garner interest in Wikipedia editing.
The performers shared the event on their pages afterward, piquing interest and enquiries after the workshop. Bridge Books is an established venue, they advertised the event in their newsletter, and this led to several positive enquiries and requests about future workshop dates.
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