The sudden closure of the Irma Stern Museum in Cape Town has sparked intense public debate and anger among art enthusiasts, heritage experts, and former staff members. The museum, which had operated continuously since 1971 in the former home of one of South Africa's most celebrated artists, shut its doors in October following the dissolution of a 56-year partnership between the University of Cape Town and the Irma Stern Trust. The announcement caught many by surprise and has raised serious questions about the stewardship of cultural heritage in South Africa.
Irma Stern, who lived from 1894 to 1966, stands as one of South Africa's most internationally recognized artists. Born in Transvaal to German-Jewish parents, she traveled extensively throughout her career and exhibited at the prestigious Venice Biennale multiple times during the 1950s. Her work was also featured in a major exhibition at Berlin's Brücke Museum in 2024. Stern settled in Cape Town during the 1920s and lived in a house called The Firs in the Rondebosch neighborhood until her death. She bequeathed her home, art collection, and personal artifacts to a trust dedicated to promoting and encouraging artistic expression.
The museum's unique character derived from its preservation of Stern's living and working spaces. Visitors could explore her studio, which remained largely unchanged since her death, complete with her original paintbrushes, easel, and personal items. The University of Cape Town administered the museum on behalf of the trust for over five decades, maintaining both the collection and the historic property. However, in October, the university and trust issued a joint statement announcing the termination of their agreement, citing the need for renewal and repurposing of the property.
Financial considerations played a significant role in the museum's closure. In 2022, an art sale organized by the prestigious South African auction house Strauss & Co raised approximately 22 million Rand (nearly $1.3 million) specifically intended for the museum's preservation. The Irma Stern Trust is now managed by Nedgroup Private Wealth, a financial services company that has faced mounting pressure to explain its plans for the collection and property. The proceeds from the 2022 sale have been invested and, according to Nedgroup, will be used for managing and maintaining The Firs.
The closure triggered immediate public outcry, with heritage researcher Phillippa Duncan describing the decision as leaving people angry and deeply suspicious. Critics point to a complete lack of transparency, noting that staff were removed without clarity about their future and the public was kept in the dark about the decision-making process. The official announcement only came after sustained pressure from concerned parties. A petition demanding accountability gathered significant support, prompting Nedgroup to organize a public consultation in November and promise the formation of a management committee and advisory board before the end of 2025.
As of early 2026, the relocation of artworks to a new storage facility in the Nedbank Clocktower Building at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront remains incomplete and may take several more months. Nedgroup has stated that the collection and property will continue in a rejuvenated guise, with new exhibition and branding partnerships under development. However, Frank Kilbourn, chairman of Strauss & Co and former vice-chairperson of the museum's committee, has called for renewed dialogue between the trust, Nedbank, and art industry leaders to examine alternative solutions. The museum's future hangs in uncertainty as stakeholders await concrete plans and timelines for reopening.
