BASA Awards now open for entry

Entry into the 17th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard is now open to business and arts partnerships covering the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013.

Twelve of the 15 categories have opened for entry, encompassing a wide spectrum of partnerships, from small and in-kind to large-scale. The categories recognise all forms of creativity - including Visual Arts; Dance; Theatre; Physical Performance; Music; Architecture; Fashion and Design.

This year sees the judging committee refining a number of categories.

The Youth Development Award has become the Development Award, and is aimed at celebrating projects with an implicit educational and development element. The Single Strategic Project Award is now known as the Strategic Project Award, and honours an outstanding initiative, with best use of a project, which is an integral part of the business’ strategy.

“We are continually looking at ways to ensure the BASA Awards reflect the current state of play of business and arts partnerships, which is dynamic and evolving,” explains Gianni Mariano, Chairman of the judging committee.

Joining Mariano in judging the 17th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard, are Kojo Baffoe, Mary Corrigall, Fikile Moeti, Nicky du Plessis, Theresho Selesho, Dali Tambo and Roelof Petrus van Wyk.

The only South African awards celebrating business partnerships with the arts, the annual Business Day BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard, play an important role in the changing face of business in the country.

“Business and Arts South Africa is proud to be partnering with Hollard and Business Day on the Awards.  Their support is crucial to the recognition and reward of businesses who engage in the arts”, confirms BASA CEO Michelle Constant.

According to Peter Bruce “The start of the Business Day BASA Awards is always an exciting time for Business Day, it is the beginning of a period where we always have great fun with the community who read and support us”

“When we entered Sasol New Signatures and our sponsorship of the National Youth Orchestra for the BASA awards, part of our motivation was to get broader recognition for the projects and the work they have done over many years,” comments Richard Hughes, Sponsorship Manager at Sasol which was named winner in the Youth Development category in 2013.

Each of the 12 categories now open for entry is of equal value, with winners each receiving a specially commissioned work of art. Entry into the 17th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard, is facilitated by an online system that is continually streamlined to ensure ease of use, and will open until 16 May 2014. Those requiring more information can also call Lakin Morgan at the BASA offices on 011 447 2295 or email lakin@basa.co.za.

The 17th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard Awards are audited by Grant Thornton.

For the full lists of categories now open for entry in the 17th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard. Go to the www.basa.co.za for more information.

About BASA (NPC):

Business and Arts South Africa is an internationally recognised development agency which incorporates the arts into, and contributes to, corporates’ commercial success. With a suite of integrated programmes, Business and Arts South Africa encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts in order to grow SHARED VALUE. Business and Arts South Africa was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of government and the business sector, as a public/private partnership.

BASA to launch Toolkit and Entrepreneurial Partnership

BASA Toolkit and Entrepreneurial partnership to be launched at Soweto Theatre.

The Director General of the Department of Arts and Culture, Sibusiso Xaba, will attend the launch of a new partnership between Business and Arts South Africa and Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ Incubator Programme. At the same time, the much anticipated BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts will be unveiled. 

Taking place on May 6 at the Soweto Theatre, the launch of BASA’s partnership with Shanduka Black Umbrellas is part of BASA’s ongoing commitment to providing arts organisations and practitioners with the skills to run their own business. 

Says Mark Frankel CEO of Shanduka Black Umbrellas, “All business owners, no matter which sector they operate in, should have the requisite skills in place to operate their businesses effectively and profitably. 

“In addition to the skills required, businesses from previously disadvantaged backgrounds should be provided with assistance to access networks, markets and finance to help ensure their sustainability. This is the nature of the work we do at Shanduka Black Umbrellas. 

“The partnership with BASA enables us to jointly identify potential high impact businesses in the arts sector and provide these businesses with the skills, support and development they require in order to become sustainable and create jobs.” 

The newly minted BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts – is additionally set to play an important role in the sustainability of arts organisations. With a strong focus on providing a way for the management team of an arts organisation to review, refresh and enhance their sponsorship practice, the toolkit is likely to become an indispensable part of the way arts organisations work. The BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts is a complement to the BASA Arts Sponsorship Management Toolkit for business that was launched last year. 

The BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts has been created for both arts organisations with existing sponsorship relations and those looking for new and additional partners. 

For arts organisations with existing sponsorship relationships, the toolkit provides an opportunity to assess the depth and breadth of their practices, as well as develop the ability to nurture a more sustainable arts partnership approach. 

For organisations searching for new or additional partners, the toolkit provides a step- by-step guide and set of exercises to craft a well-considered, longer-term arts partnership strategy. 

Please note that the time of the function has been amended to 11h30 for 12h00. 

For more information and to RSVP for the launch of the Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ Incubator Programme and unveiling of the BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts contact: Jessica Dennison at Jessica@basa.co.za or 011 447 2295.

Date and Time 
Monday 6 May 2013 
11h30 for 12h00 

Venue 
Soweto Theatre 

About Business and Arts South Africa NPC: 

Business and Arts South Africa NPC is an internationally recognised South African development agency which incorporates the arts into, and contributes to, corporates' commercial success. With a suite of integrated programmes, Business and Arts South Africa NPC encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts. Business and Arts South Africa NPC was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of government and the business sector, to secure the future development of the arts industry in South Africa, through increased corporate sector involvement. Established as a Non Profit Company, Business and Arts South Africa NPC is accountable to both government and its business members. 

About Shanduka Black Umbrellas NPC: 

The Shanduka Foundation supports Enterprise Development through the Shanduka Black Umbrella (SBU) initiative. SBU is one of the key beneficiaries of the Shanduka Group’s R100 million commitment to the Shanduka Foundation. 

Cyril Ramaphosa called the 2009 launch of the SBU programme the happiest day of his life. 

Four years later the initiative, which helps small black businesses get off the ground, is beginning to have a real impact around the country. 

Since the official launch in October 2009, a significant number of budding and established SMMEs have applied to become part of the SBU programme. However, there is a rigorous screening process and only those committed few with ability and passion are invited to join. 

There are over 100 businesses around the country that currently form part of the programme. Others have already graduated from the initiative and have taken their businesses to new heights. 

For a small monthly fee, the SBU programme provides client SMMEs with a working environment and support services that enable them to thrive. Benefits include office space, computers, Internet and telephones, vehicles with drivers, a compulsory reliable bookkeeping service, training programmes, a structured mentorship programme and access to finance and procurement opportunities, when ready. 

SBU provides corporate South Africa with an opportunity to improve their enterprise development and preferential procurement ratings which achieves the dual goal of meeting their B-BBEE scorecard requirements as well as the knowledge that their contribution goes towards the important goal of nation building through job creation. 

Further information can be found at www.shandukablackumbrellas.org