Business Day/BASA winners announced
by Kresta Tyler Johnson
The annual Business Day/BASA awards were presented on April 25, recognising the achievements of businesses that creatively engage with and sponsor the arts in South Africa. Winners are recognised for the novel manner in which they continue to foster the connection between businesses and the arts.
Anglo American hosted the awards in the recently developed, pedestrianised Main Street precinct in downtown Johannesburg. 'Support from Anglo for the Awards is in line with the company's philosophy of working across multiple sectors to benefit the broader community', state the sponsors.
There were 12 separate award categories and the varied winners were testament to the commitment of businesses to strengthening and increasing cultural development. Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr. Pallo Jordan, gave the keynote address before presenting the awards.
The finalists represented a prestigious collection of South African companies of various sizes. The winners are as follows:
In the category of Best Use of a Commission of New Art, AngloGold Ashanti was recognised for the production of Tall Horse. Two awards were presented in the First Time Sponsor category to Clear Channel Independent for Art of Humanity 'Breaking the Silence' HIV/AIDS billboard campaign and Deutsche Bank for 'Little Artists' Project and Exhibition.'
In recognition for increasing access to the arts, judges awarded the National Port Authority for The Port/Harbour Festival in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Nando's Chicken Restaurants, UK were recognised for International Sponsorship, increasing the visibility of South African arts abroad with their placement of SA visual artists in their UK restaurants.
In the long term development category, the wine estate Spier was acknowledged for their continuing Spier Arts Summer Season. For media sponsorship, two awards were given for Consistent Support by Electronic or Print Media of the Arts. These were presented to Clear Channel Independent for Art of Humanity 'Breaking the Silence' HIV/AIDS billboard campaign and�Umhlobo Wenene FM for 'Joyous Celebration'.
The Single Project award is presented for outstanding sponsorship or for a series of projects by an individual organisation. This year the award went to De Beers Consolidated Mines for The Gerard Sekoto Foundation Murals Project.
Sponsorship by a small business recognised Daddy buy me a pony (a 9 November Union Company) for 'Out in Africa: South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival'. To qualify, a company had to have between one and 200 full time employees and an annual income of no more than R10 million. Crown Relocations was recognised for Sponsorship in Kind of 'Cow Parade SA', while Cell C won in the category of Strategic Sponsorship for 'C for the City'.
South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) was recognised for Youth Sponsorship with their Endowment for the National Arts (SENA) Music and Study Award Scheme. The Chairman's Premier Award, made at the discretion of the Chairman of Business and Arts South Africa, Mrs. Mary Slack, recognising sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa, was given to Cell C.
The judging panel was comprised of a variety of individuals from numerous cultural organisations and institutions, including: writer and journalist Darryl Accone; Gordon Cook, Vega School of Advertising; Linda Givon, Director The Goodman Gallery; Sizakele Marutlulle, Advertising Consultant; Ivan May, Marketing Consultant; Welcome Msomi, playwright, producer and director of Welcome Msomi Gateway; Fiona Ramsay, actor and media personality, and sponsorship and marketing consultant Annie Williamson.
Organisers feel that the entries demonstrate the range and unique character of arts sponsorship, and indicate steady growth in arts funding in South Africa. Businesses offer a key strategic alliance partner for the arts, and these awards serve to highlight those already recognising the possibilities, and encourage those not yet participating to do so.
