Open call: Business and Arts South Africa Awards 2024

BASA Awards celebrate the dynamic intersection of business and the arts, recognising initiatives that drive positive change. Nominations are officially open for the 27th annual awards.

“The BASA Awards spotlights remarkable collaborations between businesses and the arts sector in South Africa, underscoring their significant impact on cultural enrichment,” BASA CEO Ashraf Johaardien said. “The awards spotlight the transformative potential of cross-sector creative collaborations and their profound societal contributions. At a time when global trends emphasise collaboration and community, the BASA Awards platform seeks to celebrate mutually beneficial partnerships that transcend sectors and conventional boundaries.”

A panel comprising experts from both the arts and business sectors will evaluate submissions. Evaluation criteria include creativity, innovation, impact, sustainability, and the depth of collaboration among the participating partners. By participating in these awards, entrants have the chance to gain national recognition for their contributions to the arts and to showcase their projects to influential leaders within the business and arts communities.

Interested applicants should submit their expressions of interest here before 30 August.

Categories open for entry are as follows:

• Beyond Borders Partnership Award: Awarded to a partnership that builds brand reputation and audience for both partners across borders.
• Community Development Award: Recognising NPO/NGO/CBO/PBO support for arts and culture projects enhancing their communities.
• Corporate Social Investment Award: Acknowledging vital support for arts and culture projects enhancing their communities.
• First-time Sponsor Award: Awarded to a sponsor supporting the arts for the first time.
• Innovation Award: Celebrating the most innovative, cutting edge and progressive partnership.
• Long-Term Partnership Award: Recognising outstanding initiative and commitment to the arts over a longer-term period.
• Sponsorship In-Kind Award: Acknowledging a sponsor giving quantifiable and impactful non-monetary support to the arts.
• SMME Award: Awarded for vital support given to the arts by a micro, small, or medium enterprise.
• Green Award: Linked to BASA’s Climate Culture Programme, this category is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 13: to limit and adapt to climate change.

In addition, two special discretionary awards will be selected to celebrate remarkable contributions to the sustainability of South Africa’s arts:

• Basa Alumni Award: Presented to an outstanding graduate from BASA’s Debut and/or Cultural Producers Programmes.
• Chairperson’s Award: Recognising sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa.

View the original call here.