For more than twenty years, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) has been a pioneer in nurturing connections between the corporate world and the creative industries. The BASA Supporting Grants Programme has played a crucial role in establishing collaborations between businesses and artists, facilitating creative ventures nationwide. This programme, sustained by an annual allocation from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), has provided over R46 million in assistance to more than 1 765 recipients, leveraging an impressive R590 million in sponsorships from the business sector.
“Supporting Grants form the core of BASA’s mission to promote mutually beneficial partnerships, and are open to all registered creative organisations and practitioners, regardless of their size or level of experience,” commented Ashraf Johaardien, CEO of BASA. “Financial support is available for projects that can demonstrate compelling, mutually beneficial partnerships with business.”
BASA’s Supporting Grants Programme has recently extended its support to a diverse array of creative projects. Here are some of the most recent Grant recipients:
The Lights and Art Installation: Suidoosterfees 21: The Suidoosterfees Arts Festival, celebrating its 21st edition, plans to honour its longstanding collaboration with businesses through a captivating light show and landscape art installation. This initiative aligns with BASA’s mission of highlighting the crucial role of businesses in supporting the arts and expresses gratitude to festival sponsors. https://suidoosterfees.com
Nkoli: The Vogue Opera: This groundbreaking multi-disciplinary musical opera shares the inspiring story of Simon Nkoli, an anti-apartheid freedom fighter. Composed by Philip Miller and featuring co-lyricist G’bo Gyre, this innovative production tackles essential issues of inclusion, tolerance, and the rights of all, including the LGBTQ community, to dignity and respect. https://www.philipmiller.co.za/projects
Annual Emcimbini Festival: The Emcimbini Festival, an annual music event held in Butterworth, has expanded to a three-day music and comedy extravaganza, attracting music lovers from across the nation and significantly boosting the economy of the rural province. https://www.facebook.com/nuhomeent
Paivepo Mu Afrika: A multi-disciplinary event celebrating creativity, fostering small and medium-sized enterprises, showcasing fashion, culinary delights, and cultural richness, and providing a platform for emerging talents to shine. https://www.facebook.com/people/African-Tales-Network-Forum/100067914482098/
Durban International Film Festival 45th edition: This film festival screens full-feature films, documentaries, and short films, with an extensive outreach programme, promoting South African and African cinema while attracting local and international media. https://ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za
GM50 Legacy: Celebrating Gregory Maqoma’s 50-year milestone and legacy in dance and theatre, this programme is set to create over 100 jobs within the creative industries and engage children, youth, and new audiences in book launches and performances. https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1534507481
Maynardville Open Air Festival: As one of the oldest and best-loved outdoor theatre venues in South Africa, this festival celebrates cultural diversity, offering access and relevance to Shakespeare in a South African context in the 21st century. https://maynardville.co.za/
My Body, My Space Public Arts Festival: A significant international festival promoting social cohesion, community engagement, and art’s role in development, with a focus on human rights, climate, and environmental justice in 2024. https://www.facebook.com/MyBodyMySpace
Truth or Command: This theatre production showcase tour aims to raise awareness about the importance of eradicating violence against women and children, empowering the community and promoting gender equality. https://www.facebook.com/TalentedCrusaders
These projects represent the rich tapestry of creative endeavours supported by BASA’s Supporting Grants Programme and the profound impact of fostering partnerships between businesses and the arts.