South African-Norwegian project honored at BASA awards
A joint South African-Norwegian project, Concerts SA (CSA), was on Monday 19 September presented with the Increasing Access to the Arts Award at the 19th Annual BASA Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The awards are designed to celebrate exceptional projects that demonstrate the positive and sustainable impact of dynamic business and arts partnerships.
Managing director of SAMRO Foundation, Andre le Roux, said, “When we were nominated for two awards we felt a mix of pride and humility. The award is a statement of confidence and support towards the Concerts SA programme, and recognises the value of productive collaboration not only between institutions but between countries. Increasing access to the arts is exactly what we set out to achieve.”
Housed under the auspices of the Stakeholder Hub within the SAMRO Foundation, CSA has on several times engaged musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences to stimulate live music in South Africa. This is made possible through finding and implementing ways to create regular, sustainable performance platforms.
Founded in 2013, the project funded 335 concerts in the same year. In 2015, it increased the number to 593 concert shows, reaching 50 schools and delivering live music to over 70000 individuals with close to 1 000 musicians benefitting.
CSA aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools. Its activities are designed in response to working and researching in the music sector, addressing the biggest hurdles standing between South African audiences and regular, accessible, well-organised local live music performances.
In January 2015, the project strengthened tours in southern Africa through the Music Mobility Fund. This saw dozens of musicians receiving extra support for their touring projects, reaching and developing new audiences for live music in South Africa and neighbouring SADC countries. This month the project invited SA musicians to apply for mobility funding.
In partnership by Hollard and Business Day, the event was hosted at Shine Studios in Braamfontein. It was attended by arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa, tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom and representatives of the business and arts community.
The event featured performances from 2016 SAMRO Overseas Scholarships winner saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane and the Moving into Dance Mophatong troupe.
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