Making business of art work
BASA AWARDS 2017: 44 FINALISTS EMBODY THE SUCCESS THAT PARTNERSHIPS CAN ACHIEVE
Talented collaborations and wide diversity at 20th Business Arts SA Awards.
Business and Arts SA’s announcement of the 44 finalists for the annual Basa Awards is especially significant this year as the ceremony celebrates two decades of business and arts partnerships in South Africa.
“That Basa has not just survived but has thrived over 20 years is testament to the power of public-private partnerships in SA. The Department of Arts and Culture remains a critical partner, as do the corporates that believe in the value of the arts and the creative sector in our society,” said Michelle Constant, CEO of Basa.
This year’s awards reveal an array of talented partnerships, with strong contention in all 11 categories. The diversity and range of the finalists proves the shared value of arts-business partnerships plays a vital role in bringing arts to different communities. Basa’s own partnership with Hollard proves how successful artsbusiness collaborations can be.
“Hollard’s partnership with Basa is testament to our belief that fostering collaboration between business and the arts enables a better future for artists through the exposure the awards generate; for business through the creativity engendered by the process of working together; and for society through the conversation and engagement around the beautiful works that are produced,” said Hollard’s, chief marketing director, Heidi Brauer.
For Hollard, the Basa partnership is a natural extension of its Better Futures campaign.
“We are proud to partner with Basa in their milestone year and anticipate this will be a radically different event as the awards pay tribute to the disruptive nature of art,” said Brauer.
The awards, audited by Grant Thornton, are judged by media specialist and radio DJ Kojo Baffoe, CEO of the Field Band Foundation Nicky Du Plessis, heritage specialist and entrepreneur Dali Tambo, journalist Christina Kennedy, Theresho Selesho, director of Strategy and Business Development at Boondoggle SA, Mandie van Der Spuy, arts adviser and Basa board member, and Ismail Mohamed, CEO of the Market Theatre Foundation. The Awards are chaired by restaurateur Basa board member Gianni Mariano, who does not have a vote.
What stands out is the positive impact the partnerships have had on communities. For example, Anglo American’s partnership with Drama for Life brought to fruition the meaningful Unravelling HIV/AIDS Through Real Stories project. “Each finalist is involved in a project that not only means something but is also changing lives in a real and tangible way. The projects were not simply to win awards but to make a meaningful impact, which they do,” said Baffoe.
This year has also seen more innovation in the partnerships, making it a tougher decision for the judges to pick only four finalists for the Innovation Award. “It is very easy to simply throw money at projects and sit back and pat yourself on the back for having contributed. It is more difficult to think innovatively. The partnerships this year have significant legs and a strong element of sustainability covering a diverse range of genres,” said Baffoe.
Another noticeable change was the balance between large corporates and multinationals on the one hand, and smaller firms and nonprofits on the other, all partnering with arts bodies and institutions on projects. “This is encouraging in that it demonstrates support for the arts over a cross-section of the corporate world and civil society. It perhaps signals a growing realisation that partnering for good goes beyond goodwill and corporate social responsibility – it can add lustre to all participants,” said Kennedy.
The Cultural Tourism Award, supported by Nedbank, was introduced as a category last year, replacing the Art and Environment Award. It recognises business support of arts and culture projects, which contribute towards the sustainability of this increasingly important sector. There are three extremely strong contenders vying for the award this year.
“What particularly impressed me were those partnerships that didn’t necessarily involve a vast sponsorship amount but where in-kind support and a coalescing of mutual interests reaped major rewards for both entities’ brands and beneficiaries,” said Kennedy of the contenders who stood out for the Sponsorship In Kind and First Time Sponsor awards.
The other Basa awards are the Increasing Access to the Arts Award, Beyond Borders Partnership Award, Long Term Partnership Award, Media Sponsorship Award, Strategic Project Award and Development Award.
The judging process was simplified because of the growth in entries. “I was looking for projects that would surprise me and were simple in the way they opened up the arts to a wider audience, advanced the arts organisation and achieved their strategic business objectives,” said Selesho.
The winners will be announced next month.