The impressive list of nominees in 12 categories reflects a growing awareness within the corporate sector both of the inherent value of the arts to society at all levels and of the business argument for supporting the arts.
Among them, two Johannesburg Development Agency projects allowed Joburg's most densely-populated areas to become sites for public art. The BRT Station Public Art project (nominated in the Innovation Category) involved the commissioning of artwork to adorn the major stations along the Rea Vaya route, while Fire Walker, a dynamic structure by William Kentridge and Gerhard Marx on Queen Elizabeth Bridge, was nominated in the Single Strategic Project Category.
These were not the only projects of benefit to the broader public. RMB's six-metre concrete bench on busy Rivonia Road - flanked at each end by life-size bronze figures by sculptor Louis Olivier - has proved hugely popular with passers-by. The project was also nominated in the Innovation Category.
Four people who make massive contributions to South African arts are up for the Art Champion Award, a new category this year. They are film, television and theatre producer, Eric Abraham; Dick Enthoven, who has successfully drawn the worlds of business and the arts together with Nando's, Spier, Hollard and Etana; Paul Harris, who has always believed that the arts would be good for the brands under his control, including FNB and RMB, and Ravi Naidoo, founder of the Design Indaba.
Importantly this Award pays tribute to the role of the individual driver, with regards to corporate sponsorship of the arts.
The nominations also prove that everybody can make a difference from large corporates such as Absa, Old Mutual, Standard Bank and Total to smaller initiatives like Soweto's Sakhumzi Restaurant and Cape Town's Grand Daddy Hotel.
"Notwithstanding the current economic climate and the impact of the World Cup on arts sponsorship, we are delighted by the diversity and engagement of businesses in the arts, as seen by the finalist list. More and more, we are able to see how innovative both business and arts projects have become in order to truly leverage the relationship," says BASA CEO Michelle Constant.
Nominations were made in 12 categories while the Chairman's Award for sustained and innovative contribution to the arts will be awarded at the ceremony in August.
This year's finalists were selected by a prestigious panel of judges, co-founder and head of Vega School of Advertising, Gordon Cook; arts consultant Nicki du Plessis; Loerie Awards MD, Dr Andrew Human; marketing consultant Dr Ivan May; co-founder and co-owner of multi-disciplinary design firm INK Lisebo Mokhesi and Artistic Director of Siwela Sonke, and academic Jay Pather. The Awards were audited by Grant Thornton.
Says Dr May: "It is gratifying to see the recognition of arts and culture sponsorship by enlightened companies. And it is growing every year. Unlike the Fifa World Cup, which prices are quoted in telephone number terms, arts and culture sponsorship represents such excellent value for money. Enlightened companies are recognising this and are turning the sponsorship to their substantial advantage. Thus arts sponsorship, done smartly, is the secret weapon to brand building and triple bottom line accountability."
The Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American, will be presented at a gala ceremony at Villa Arcadia on August 30.
Download the BASA nominees in detail here.
