Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Ndoli Jowei - A celebration of African women artists (ID: 21852977)/Final Report
Ndoli Jowei Report (October 2022)[edit]
=Ndoli Jowei Report=
==Goals==
Ndoli Jowei has 4 broad objectives which are achieved through workshops and knowledge transfer. First, the project seeks to document the biographies and artistic collections of African women artists. Secondly, the project seeks to create a record of Seminal exhibitions featuring the works of African women artists. Additionally, the project seeks to document the journeys and curatorial praxis of African women collectors of the arts. Finally, this project is committed to using Wikipedia as a platform for conserving and disseminating knowledge on African women’s artistic practices at home and in the diaspora.
These goals were articulated as follows in the grant application.
· Conscientize community of Wikipedia and editing opportunities.
· Attend to coverage gaps.
· Increasing sources, formatting citations.
· Documenting biographies.
· Developing a publicly accessible weblog or digital archive.
· Hold edit – a – thons or workshops.
· Develop a template for writing artist biographies.
==Workshops==
Three workshops have been held on the 11th of September 2022 (Botaki ba Afrika, Hatfield, Tshwane), 17 September 2022 (Bridge Books, Marshalltown, Johannesburg) and 15 October 2022 (Botaki ba Afrika, Hatfield, Tshwane).
===Botaki ba Afrika 11 September 2022===
This event was advertised through email invitations, Botaki ba Afrika’s database as well as social media
The initial workshop was called off due to low attendance. A brief introductory session was held in lieu of a workshop. The venue owners and artists in attendance were introduced to the concept of Ndoli Jowei as well as editing Wikipedia. Ground was laid for the upcoming workshop and better understanding of audience fostered
The workshop of 11 September 2022 was attended by 14 participants.
The programme was as follows:
- Participants were introduced to the Wikipedia 5 pillars
- The basics of translation were shared
- Participants created user accounts
- Edits were made to pages
- Lunch and a musical performance by Bokang Ramatlapaneng (her_own_skin on Instagram and online music platforms)
Opportunities
- This was an opportunity to build community and garner interest in Wikipedia editing.
- A few institutions were represented, University of Pretoria, TUT and the host, Botaki ba Afrika.
- This was a multi – lingual group with varied interests.
- The performer shared the event on their pages afterward, piquing interest and enquiries after the workshop.
Challenges
- Marketing events primarily held on a Saturday proved challenging. There were higher RSVPs than attendance. Th
- Projector quality was poor. A second hand was sought as it was not initially budgeted for and this proved inadequate, it was ultimately resolved and a refund 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
===Bridge Books 17 September 2022===
This event was advertised on Bridge books’ weekly mailer, social media and via email to networks.
A similar programme was followed, with references tailored to fit the audience. A musical performance was offered by Nolundi Moletsane (Ms ISIS on Instagram and online streaming platforms.) There were 12 participants in this workshop excluding organizers. One did not sign the attendance register.
A group of students from Funda Community College expressed interest and were transported from Soweto. They formed the bulk of participants and their institution has requested a workshop at the College so that more students can attend. This will be conducted in the new term as we are approaching the examination period.
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. These are Funda Community College students for whom a future workshop is planned, and means will be made ot ensure they can participate equally.
The programme was as follows:
- Participants were introduced to the Wikipedia 5 pillars
- The basics of translation were shared
- Participants created user accounts
- Lunch & Performance by Ms Isis
Opportunities
- 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
- The venue posted event images and video clips on their social media, increase Wikimedia ZA’s footprint.
- The workshop was well attended.
- All agenda items were covered.
- The practical component of the workshop was immersive, and participants got hands on editing experience.
Challenges
- There was a water outage in the block which caused logistical challenges
- Location of the workshop downstairs and no signage outside, an oversight which led to a few participants expressing via text / direct message that they did not see the event.
- Connectivity improved but the choice of a 16 person router hampered
- There was need for device support for some participants
- The digital divide was evident as some participants needed to be capacitated in some respects.
==Botaki ba Afrika 15 October 2022==
A workshop was held at Botaki ba Afrika on 15 October 2022. The venue was offered at a discounted rate due to the venue owner double – booking the venue in the afternoon which was an inconvenience.
13 participants confirmed attendance and 6 attended.
The commitments were still not met in terms of joint advertising.
The programme was as follows:
- Participants were introduced to the Wikipedia 5 pillars
- The basics of translation were shared
- Participants created user accounts
- Lunch
==Learning==
The following skills were garnered in the duration of this project
· Editing Wikipedia, creating pages, including references, and translation were conferred.
· Project planning, management and reporting skills were garnered.
· Social media marketing and content creation skills.
· Presentation skills.
The project brought light to the following areas to which greater attention needs to be paid
· Digital skills gap – the project experienced challenges with getting participants to sign up. Enquiries were sent through Instagram and Whatsapp about the skills levels required to participate. They also did not all have laptops and some had very basic cellphones which struggled with bandwidth, connectivity and using Wikipedia interfaces easily
· Marketing challenges and capturing audiences was a challenge. The plan is to foster closer relationships with art institutions and encourage them to take greater ownership.
· Project planning and mitigating costs – the cancellation of a workshop and pay as you go data were the most challenging.
· Time constraints and challenges. The work of offering quality edits and translations requires time and dedication. This project has just introduced participants to the possibilities. Wikipedia editing and contribution requires sustained interest and the time. It is easy to rush and make mistakes, which can cause more harm, so slow and steady wins the race.
· There is need for translation specific interventions.
· There is a great interest in accessing as well as creating isiNdebele and Sepedi content.
==GLAM Network building==
Relationships were strengthened with institutions through whom participants were invited. Rapport has been built and interest ha
- Africa Open Institute
- Funda Community College
- Springs Art Gallery
- Tshwane Arts Hub
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.
==SWOT Analysis==
===Strength===
- Unique opportunity to introduce people to editing Wikipedia.
- Interest from those approached to be interviewed or participate from established institutions namely Tshwane University of Techology, University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University’s Africa Open Institute, Funda Community College, Springs Art Gallery.
- Interest in developing African languages pages was piqued.
===Weakness===
- There was need for more hands on admin support to mitigate organizational and logistical challenges during the workshops.
- Marketing uptake was slow. There is need for stronger relationship building and venue buy – in in order to promote workshops.
- Connectivity plan – There was apprehension about getting a long-term plan specific to the project. This led to the pay as you go option which was not cost effective. An affordable network should be chosen, and an uncapped solution sought. This was however find during the last workshop and this data can still be used for the proposed Funda Community College workshop
- Inexperience with hosting workshops led to some rookie errors like a long programme, which is unattractive and trouble shooting.
- Scheduling challenges led to the second Tshwane workshop being slowed down though all is scheduled and stakeholders on board. The venue owner also double booked, and did provide a projector or technical assistance as agreed upon.
- Despite the request to bring laptops, most participants brought cell phones, some had limited features. They were lent laptops by organizers.
-
===Opportunity===
- New audiences reached
- Model developed and programme has been tested three times.
- Training the trainer. The coordinator garnered hands-on experience of planning, marketing, hosting and working with Wikimedia interfaces. The attendance of two experienced Wikimedians Bobby Shabangu (11 and 19 September workshops) and Mohau Monaledi at the 15 October workshop provided invaluable knowledge and support.
- Attendance of Wikimania meant that the project coordinator gained experience, met Wikimedians and had an immersive experience.
- The digital divide was palpable in different experiences of participants and the level of support they require. Hosting edit-a-thons is thus an opportunity to share resources and skills.
- Musical performances garnered interest and outreach to audiences who follow musicians.
===Threats===
- Retaining interest of workshop participants will be a challenge.
- Loss of a crucial team member who had to attend to care of a family member had an impact on the administration and execution of project.
- There is need to garner greater, sustained, participant interest in the subject area specific to the project. Upon invitation, there is an expressed interest in art history but participants tend to default to personal interests. This is fine for the general growth of Wikipedia but the gap in women artist biographies remains a challenge.
== Way forward ==
1. Funda Community College – Upcoming
A follow up workshop has been requested by participants and the venue owners. A better understanding of the project and its aims was garnered through the workshop and a meeting held about a closer future partnership. Phumzile Twala, gallerist at the Javett UP Art Museum has been invited as a speaker, discussing the access to GLAM and her experience writing biographies of artists and chronicling their work and exhibition histories. The venue is secured and a cordial relationship has been built with the Funda Community College head of Visual Arts.
==Analytics==
· User accounts created: 22
· Workshops hosted: 3 (1 postponement on 27 August 2022 to 11 September 2022)
· Articles created: 5 (in Sandbox / awaiting an experienced editor’s approval at reporting time)
· Articles edited / referenced: 11
==Social media==
· Instagram following: 41
· Reel views: 808
· Post engagements: 62 likes
==Contributing to a safer, supportive and more equitable environment==
The five pillars of Wikipedia anchored each workshop. They were explained to all participants with emphasis on civility and mutual respect. They space was also open and allowed for inclusivity, multi – lingual interaction and room for artistic expression.
It was interested to note how the art in different spaces garnered interest. People cracked the piano at Botaki ba Afrika open and played a few keys. The books and art at Bridge Books drew similar interest.
Participants were requested to complete forms at the beginning of workshops indicating their accessibility needs and if they require additional support. An RSVP form was used, and individual email and telephonic follow ups made to ensure they were catered to.
The sessions were multi – lingual and localized to widen participation. Both venues were close to public transport networks and had provision for power cuts. No participants with visual or hearing impairments or access challenges registered but there was room for provision.
Connectivity is a major challenge in Southern Africa and the workshops were spaces where data is accessible for all participants, and they could write biographies or contributions without fear of losing connectivity.
==In Pictures==
==Sandbox and Articles Created==
The following articles are awaiting approval or in the final stages of finalisation
Created
· Boniface Chandiyamba
· Agnes Waruguru
· Sumbornam (Sam) Moodley
· Winifrid Luena
·
Updated
· Princess Magogo ka Dinizulu
· ProKid
· Thandiswa Mazwai
· HIE Dhlomo
· Aïda Muluneh
· Bongiwe Dhlomo
· Ghada Amer
· Khadija Saye
· Lady Skollie
· Seni Awa Camara
· Nike Davies-Okundaye
==Finances==
| Funds disbursed by Wikimedia | R71 403,00 | |||
| Venue hire and refreshments | ||||
| Bridge Books - venue hire | R2 300,00 | |||
| Botaki ba Afrika - venue hire | R3 600,00 | |||
| Catering costs (Workshop 1 and 2) | 5172.47 | |||
| Bridge books - lunch | 1630.53 | |||
| Bertha House venue hire & catering | R7 000,00 | |||
| Botaki ba Afrika catering | R2 000,00 | |||
| Connectivity and communication | ||||
| Router purchase and data costs | 16 user router | R600,00 | ||
| 17-Sep | data | R469,00 | ||
| 17-Sep | data | R299,00 | ||
| 16-Sep | airtime | R79,00 | ||
| 09-Oct | airtime | R100,00 | ||
| Canva Pro & Kapwing subscription | R1 400,00 | |||
| Facebook advertising (Ndoli Jowei page - 11/09/22 event) | R575,00 | |||
| Facebook advertising (Ndoli Jowei page - 17/09/22 event) | R230,00 | |||
| Photography | R6 000,00 | |||
| Stationery | ||||
| Book purchases - Art history books | R640,00 | |||
| Notebooks, pens, marker pens, flip chart | 522.75 | |||
| PNA - stationary purchases | R134,00 | |||
| Performance costs | ||||
| Sound hire (Botaki ba Afrika - 11/09/22) | R799,00 | |||
| Sound hire (Bridge Books - 19/09/22 ) | R800,00 | |||
| Performer (Botaki ba Afrika - 11/09/22) | R4 000,00 | |||
| Performer (Bridge Books - 19/09/22) | R4 000,00 | |||
| Travel | ||||
| Fuel purchases (incl. organizing, gallery visits to Springs Art Gallery, Funda Community College & Javett Art Centre | R4 000,00 | |||
| Bolt | R1 600,00 | |||
| Funda Centre students' transport (17/09/22) | R500,00 | |||
| L Khuzwayo travel claim (17/09/22) | R634,00 | |||
| B. Shabangu travel claim (11/09/22 workshop) | R693,00 | |||
| Transport / travel claims- Botaki workshop | R1 500,00 | |||
| Equipment | ||||
| Projector | R1 000,00 | |||
| Paperang mini - printer | R1 998,00 | |||
| kettle | HiFi Corp | R399,00 | ||
| HDMI Cables | 153.18 | |||
| serving dishes - incl. for future events | Hub Store | 179.85 | ||
| Project management costs and overheads | Workshop admin and interviews; Instagram / FB management (consultative meetings held with representatives of Funda Community College, Springs Art Gallery, Abethu Heritage Initiative & Botaki ba Afrika. Databases developed); incl. payment for childcare services | R10 000,00 | ||
| R57 349,00 | ||||
| Commitments made to realize follo up workshops | ||||
| Projector | R14 000,00 | |||
| R14 000,00 | ||||
| Allocated / spent funds | R71 349,00 | |||
==Remaining funds==