The business of art
DIANE DE BEER
ON THE arts calendar, few things are as important as the Basa (Business and Arts South Africa) because, as the name implies, this is an organisation that works to establish working and flourishing links between business and the arts.
Each year, the Basa Awards reward the most successful and sustainable of these projects initiated by sheer hard work and dedication. Eleven projects were honoured last night at this 19th annual Basa Awards (partnered by Hollard and Business Day) during an arts-filled event attended by representatives of the business and arts community, as well as the Minister of Arts and Culture, Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
Winners in those categories adjudicated by the awards judging panel provided stunning and uplifting insight into the role of the arts in transformation – and the different ways that business can assist in this.For Basa, says CEO, Michelle Constant, the core focus is that of change-maker, driving connectivity and sustainability.
“It does this through research, which is drawn from our Supporting Grant Programme, our Youth Education Programme, ArtsTrack and much more.”
With Basa turning 20 next year, she believes this shows an extremely successful public-private partnership between the Department of Arts ad Culture (DAC) and the private sector. This is important for the arts, which needs sustainability and growth without being dependent on a single source.The organisation is driven by offering a successful, bespoke service to businesses, supporting their strategy with arts-based intelligence to introduce them to the value of the arts.
“Our Young Professionals Programme is proving to be really successful,” notes Constant.
They’re also supporters of the DAC mandate, with its ongoing and growing engagement on the African continent, while assisting third sector/civil society through extensive education programmes across South Africa, which drive access and agency through market and audience development.“We would like to congratulate this year’s winners and nominees,” said Heidi Brauer, Chief Marketing Officer at Hollard. “It’s always so illuminating to see the diversity of ways that business and the arts partner.”
Each winner received a unique ceramic artwork that emerged from a project harnessing the transformative power of art and fire done under the guidance of Belinda Blignaut. The works were created by a group of amateur artists, including Lucy Africa, Martha Nero, Jason Jack and William Jack, who is “using art therapy as a fine art, giving shape to the urgency for protest that so many communities are expressing on our national stage,” explained Blignaut.
“These Basa Awards really do showcase how the arts can be a tool for bringing about transformation and how business can assist them in doing so,” Constant added.
THE BASA WINNERS LIST:
Innovation Award: Nando’s Chickenland (Pty) Ltd – Nando’s Heartfelt Celebration of SADesign.
First Time Sponsor Award: SA Taxi Foundation Art Award.
Increasing Access to Arts Award: SAMRO & Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Concerts SA.
Beyond Borders Partnership Award: ABSA – Barclays L’Atelier
Long Term Partnership Award: TOTAL South Africa (Pty) Ltd – The Buskaid Academy of String Teaching and Performance.
Media Sponsorship Award: Radio Sonder Grense – RSG Kunstefees 2015.
Strategic Project Award: PPC Ltd – PPC Imaginarium.
Small Business Award: Kirchhoff Professional Surveyors – Eland and Benko 2015 by Hannelie Coetzee.
Sponsorship In Kind Award: Meropa Communications – Moving into Dance Mophatong.
Development Award: Distell (Pty) Ltd – The Magnet Theatre.
Educational Trust Fulltime Training and Job Creation Programme: Cultural Tourism Award, supported by NedbankTransnet SOC Ltd – National Arts Festival.
This year’s judging panel: Gianni Mariano, co-founder and CEO of Mastrantonio group of companies, BASA board member and awards chairman; Dali Tambo, media and heritage-tourism entrepreneur; Mandie van der Spuy, arts consultant and BASA board member; Kojo Baffoe, Project Fable founder, Kwaya Holdings director; Nicolette du Plessis, Field Band Foundation CEO; Theresho Selesho, Business Development at Boondoggle SA director; Christina Kennedy, arts and culture journalist; and Fikile Moeti, 5fm DJ and social entrepreneur.