The 23rd Annual BASA Awards have teamed up with Hollard to once again shine a light on continued partnerships between business and arts in seven categories.
About BASA
Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) is an organization that supports business investment within the arts, cultural, and heritage sectors.
The finalists
Every year, the awards celebrate the power of these partnerships, however, BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien states, that that year, these collaborations are more important than ever: “As the country and the world try to navigate uncharted territory, and we attempt to reboot following the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s critical that we focus on stories that matter, and that we continue to offer this platform for acknowledging achievements and showcasing successes”, he said in a press release.
This year’s theme is INDELIBLE. It acknowledges relationships between brands and their resilience and endurance. The awards are offered within seven categories.
The Beyond Borders Partnership Award
Recognizes a partnership that builds brand reputation and audiences for both the business and arts partners across borders. The finalists are:
- the French Institute of South Africa (on behalf of TOTAL SA) / IFAS / Friends of The Johannesburg Art Gallery / Johannesburg Art Gallery / La Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’image for The Art of Comics;
- French bandes desinées & SA Comics in Conversation; Fundación Otro Sur / Electric South for African Virtual Reality Showcase in Columbia, and
- NIKE, Inc. / Mother Tongue Collective (Pty) Ltd (t/a Karabo Poppy) for Nike By Karabo Poppy.
The Community Development Award
Acknowledges business support for arts and culture projects improving their communities, whether through education, skills development, contributing to businesses or employment, tourism, or other growth opportunities in the community. The finalists are:
- MTN SA Foundation / Imbali Visual Literacy Project for Roll-out and Teachers’ Workshops for Imbali Artbooks: Adventuring into Art;
- Nando’s / Constitution Hill for Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, and
- V&A Waterfront / NGOs in different communities across South Africa and Africa for Joy from Africa to the World.
The Innovation Award
Celebrates the most inventive, trailblazing and enlightened partnership that served all partners’ purposes successfully. These breakthrough projects and partnerships should prove to be innovative, original, unconventional and digitally innovative. The finalists are:
- the French Institute of South Africa (on behalf of TOTAL SA) / IFAS / Friends of The Johannesburg Art Gallery / Johannesburg Art Gallery / La Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’image for The Art of Comics
- French bandes desinées & SA Comics in Conversation; Intsikelelo Inc. / Baz-Art NPO for Virtual Street Art Experience.
- NIKE, Inc. / Mother Tongue Collective (Pty) Ltd (t/a Karabo Poppy) for Nike By Karabo Poppy, and
- V&A Waterfront / World.NGOs in different communities across South Africa and Africa for Joy from Africa to the
The Long-Term Partnership Award
Identifies exceptional ingenuity and dedication to the arts over a longer period as an essential part of the business’ strategy. The finalists are:
- MTN SA Foundation / Imbali Visual Literacy Project for Roll-out and Teachers’ Workshops for Imbali Artbooks: Adventuring into Art;
- Standard Bank of South Africa Limited / National Arts Festival for The Standard Bank Young Artist Awards, and
- Standard Bank of South Africa Limited / University of the Witwatersrand / Wits Art Museum for The Standard Bank African Art Collection.
The SMME Award
Credits necessary support given to the arts by a micro, small or medium enterprise, with up to 200 full-time employees and an annual turnover of no more than R10m. The finalists are:
- Intsikelelo Inc. / Baz-Art NPO for Virtual Street Art Experience.
- J&B PRINTERS / Highway Radio for Annual Youth Concert, and
- The Marimba Workshop (Pty) Ltd / Education Africa for International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.
The Sponsorship In-Kind Award
Salutes a business giving measurable and impactful non-financial support to the arts. This may be through in-kind delivery of equipment, materials, media or PR support, space, transportation travel, or any other products or services. The finalists are:
- Fundación Otro Sur / Electric South for African Virtual Reality showcase in Colombia.
- J&B PRINTERS / Highway Radio for Annual Youth Concert, and
- The Marimba Workshop (Pty) Ltd / Education Africa for International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.
The First-Time Sponsor Award
Is for a business supporting the arts for the first time, irrespective of size, budget, and whether it is through corporate social investment, marketing, human resources, B-BBEE, or other means. An outright winner will be announced in this category.
The 23rd Annual BASA Awards winners will be announced virtually via a united online experience available to the public from 19 November 2020 at www.basa.co.za.
