As part of BASA’s renewed value proposition, the Supporting Grants Programme is being reshaped to function as a catalytic platform for business–arts co-creation. The new approach places emphasis on strategic alignment, mutual value, and experimentation and innovation. These micro-grants will now serve as seed funding for prototype partnerships—small-scale, time-bound projects that test high-impact ideas at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and society. By sharpening the focus and linking partnerships BASA aims to move from passive support to active incubation of scalable, investable models that drive both artistic innovation and business benefit.
These grants are designed not only to support projects but to ignite investable innovations in key sectors. They serve as proof-of-concept platforms, nurturing scalable models and building credibility for creatives within the business ecosystem.
The repositioning of supporting grants aims to shift them from being once-off sponsorships to becoming tools for building strategic, long-term partnerships between business and the arts. This new approach prioritises alignment between partners, enabling co-created projects that are mutually beneficial and contribute meaningfully to community development, economic inclusion, and sector transformation. Instead of merely funding activities, the grants now focus on enabling ecosystems—supporting initiatives that grow creative businesses, develop talent, and deliver measurable impact. This shift positions the arts as not only a space of expression but also a sector capable of driving innovation, inclusion, and investment.
By strengthening the value proposition for both funders and creatives, this approach opens the door for greater leverage and scale. Successful collaborations can be showcased as case studies of shared value, attracting further funding and partnership opportunities. Over time, these relationships can evolve into investment pipelines, anchoring creative projects in long-term sustainability. The repositioning ensures that grants do more than support art—they support systems that create jobs, build businesses, and contribute to nation-building through creativity
For Creatives – Bring your creative brilliance into partnership with business to innovate the future.
For Businesses– Test bold ideas at the edge of innovation—co-create with South Africa’s top creatives.
- Overview of the Supporting Grants 2.0
2.1. Purpose
To seed micro-collaborations between creatives and business actors that pilot new ideas, services or products with the potential for real-world impact, investment, and scale.
2.2. What the Grants Will Do
- Fund prototype partnerships that tackle real-world issues and opportunities
- Support 3-month pilot projects with clear deliverables and innovation value.
- Focus on partnership value, not just funding – with required business engagement.
We are looking for innovative ideas and partnership. The grants have a ceiling of R100 000 each and are intended to do a pilot project that demonstrates the value of your idea and innovative partnership.
2.3. How It Works
These partnerships act as tangible proof-points of creative‑commerce integration. As a creative you could partner with a small or large business to give your idea life.
The programme encourages creativity and partnership with business that unlocks value for the creative and for the business. This is not just for large companies, but any business operating in your community. An artist can approach their local supermarket and engage in partnership where they receive the plastic and paper waste from the store to create art installations in local public spaces. A creative can approach their local clinic and provide art-based therapy interventions to patients. A creative entrepreneur in the music industry can partner with a CMO on his idea to create a tech platform for royalty collection. A Fashion designer can partner with a local guesthouse to provide décor for the guesthouse. A crafter can engage their local mall and develop merchandise for local brands. A poet and storyteller can partner with a tourism entity to develop immersive walking tours.
The programme encourages direct engagement with a sustainability angle between creatives and businesses for mutual benefit and value for both. The funding amounts are not large but are intended to be a catalyst to pilot or demonstrate the value of the idea or partnership, so that there is a proof of concept that can be scaled.
We are looking for great artist/business collaborations from all over the country, so applications from all provinces are welcomed!
All successful applicants will exit the programme with
- Successfully completed pilot project/model
- Business plan for the scaling of their project or idea
- An opportunity to be selected for further incubation and acceleration
Supporting Grants 2.0 are made possible through the generous support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)
Supporting information, links and documents related to BASA Supporting Grants.
| Supporting Grants Budget Template. |
Download |
| Expression of interest letter template |
Enter Online |
| Frequently asked questions |
View |
For more information on the BASA Supporting Grants, please contact Sipho Mthiyane sipho@basa.co.za
The Supporting Grants are made possible through the generous support of the Department of Arts and Culture.
