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Civic Collection

<div class="ExternalClass332B85ED032F48A59778FD86DA5E0CB5"><p>The City owns a number of original artworks, objets d’art, documents, artefacts, photographs, memorabilia, furniture, films, and more. These heritage assets form the City’s Civic Collection.<br></p></div>

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">About the Civic Collection</h2></span> <p> The Civic Collection consists of Movable Heritage Objects that have been acquired in different ways over many years. Some of the assets, especially artworks, were purchased by the municipality, while other items, such as ceremonial objects, were commissioned by the City. Items that were used in the city and have lasted long enough to be of historical significance – including council furniture, scientific instruments and equipment - have also been added to the collection. Some items were donated to the people of Cape Town, and are held by the City for the benefit of all Capetonians. </p><p>The collection is historically significant as it tracks the growth of the city - from very early times to the establishment of the metro municipality. It provides a picture of the changing values of city governance over the years; as well as the people, technology, ideas, and events that have made Cape Town into the city it is today. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Find items in the Civic Collection</h2><p>Search, browse and explore items in the Civic Collection on the Digital Vault, the City’s digital catalogue of permanent and temporary public art and the Civic Collection. Find images, physical descriptions, and the stories that make these items so interesting and important. </p> <span><a href="https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/artscul" title="Download" class="btn" target="_blank">Access the vault</a></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Discover items in the Civic Collection</h2><p>We keep most of the Civic Collection safe in access-controlled storage, but some items are on display publicly.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/TheAttic">Attic Exhibition </a>at City Hall uses items from the collection to tell the story of the history, development and governance of Cape Town. </p><p> You may also be interested in visiting the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/arts-and-culture/Find-art-in-the-city/Langa-Cultural-Precinct">Old Pass Office</a> in Langa and the Rhodes Cottage Museum in Muizenberg. </p><p>Some of the items in the Civic Collection are still in use at the Civic Centre and other municipal offices. A frequently seen example is the Mayoral Chain worn by the Mayor. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Add to the collection</h2><p>The City collects items directly related to the governance of Cape Town, or that enable us to tell the story of the history of Cape Town. If you would like to donate an item to the collection, please email <a href="mailto:Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za">Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za</a>. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us<br></h2><p><em>Email:<br> <a href="mailto:Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za">Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za</a></em><br></p>

The City's Civic Collection is historically significant as it tracks the growth of the city.