Business Arts South Africa Awards 2019: All the finalists

The event, which will run under the theme Algo-Rhythms, intends to shine a spotlight on powerful partnerships that demonstrate the multitude of ways in which business and the creative sector have successfully collaborated to make an impact. 

The panel of judges comprises MultiChoice Africa senior manager of public relations Mokgadi Seabi, former magazine editor Kojo Baffoe, BASA deputy chairperson Mandie van der Spuy, writer Christina Kennedy, Market Theatre CEO Ismail Mahomed, BASA non-executive director Khanyi Mamba, editor Lerato Matsoso and MultiChoice’s Mokgadi Seabi.

"The BASA Awards not only celebrate the synergistic power that comes from deep collaboration between the right partners but also showcases the ways in which those partnerships are able to effect meaningful social change,” BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien said.

Seabi said: "The number of entrants who have demonstrated how they’ve contributed to furthering the growth of the arts industry is a testament to the possibilities that lie ahead for the arts industry, when the greater business community gets involved.”

This year, the list features 30 finalists in 14 categories. In addition, BASA will honour organisations in three special awards: the Diplomacy in the Arts Award, Art Champion Award and the Chairperson’s Premier Award.

Below is the full list of finalists:

Beyond Borders Partnership Award

• Cape Gate for partnering with the Morris Isaacs on Centre for Music.
• Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd and T Musicman for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.

Innovation Award

• BMW South Africa for partnering with Southern Guild.
• Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and T Musicman for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.

Sponsorship In-kind Award

• DeskLink Media/Creative Feel and Vuyani Dance Theatre for the Vuyani Dance 20 Year Celebration.
• Looking Back and Moving Forward, Gearhouse Splitbeam and Naledi Theatre Awards NPC for the 2018 Naledi Theatre Awards, for productions staged in 2017.
• Marimba Workshop and Education Africa for the Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.

Cultural Tourism Award

• Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge and Madi a Thavha CraftArt with the collective of Venda and Tsonga artisans in northern Limpopo, for the partnership between Madi a Thavha CraftArt and Venda and Tsonga artisans.
• Gauteng Department of Economic Development and Ghetto Mentality Entertainment for the annual Soweto Camp Festival.

Development Award

• FNB Art Joburg and Fordsburg Artists' Studios t/a Bag Factory Artists' Studios for the David Koloane Award.
• MTN SA Foundation and the Imbali Visual Literacy Project for Imbali Artbooks: Adventuring into Art, and Rand Merchant Bank.
• Lefika La Phodiso – Community Art Counselling and Training Institute, for its Train-the-Trainer programme.

First Time Sponsor Award

• Legends Gaming Promotion and Koloni Consulting Enterprise for the Creative Economy Indaba.
• Promise Branding Specialists and Moving into Dance for #Est 1978.

Increasing Access to the Arts Award

• MTN SA Foundation and the Imbali Visual Literacy.
• V&A Waterfront Holdings and the Craft and Design Institute for V&A + CDI – Building Inclusive Markets for Creatives.

Long Term Partnership Award

• V&A Waterfront Holdings and the Craft and Design Institute for V&A + CDI – Building Inclusive Markets for Creatives, Rand Merchant Bank.
• The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) for the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative at Ebhudlweni, and Merrill Lynch South Africa and the Wits Art Museum for its education programme.

Media Sponsorship Award

• Bay FM for partnering with the Imibala Arts Festival (cross colours/cross cultures).
• DeskLink Media/Creative Feel and Vuyani Dance Theatre for 20 Years of Vuyani Dance, Looking Back to Move Forward.

Small Business Award

• Bay FM for partnering with the Imibala Arts Festival (cross colours/cross cultures), CN&CO for supporting small arts projects of various arts partners.
• Wlit Brewery t/a L7 Craft Beer and Baz-Art PBO for the International Public Art Festival.

Strategic Project Award

• BMW South Africa for partnering with Southern Guild, Promise Branding Specialists
• Moving into Dance for #Est 1978.
• Rand Merchant Bank with the RMB Turbine Art Fair 2018.
• Hilton College (during the Hilton Arts Festival).
• Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) – University of Pretoria, and St Stithians College for the RMB THINK Bench Initiative.