As we reflect on the impactful projects supported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) in 2024, we celebrate the recipients whose initiatives have sparked creative transformation across the South African arts landscape. From empowering emerging artists, to providing platforms for musical expression, these projects exemplify the profound impact that collaboration and funding can have on the arts community. Here’s a closer look at last year’s successful supporting grant recipients.
1. Nando’s Creative Exchange: Nurturing Emerging Fine Artists
Since its inception in 2011, the Nando’s Creative Exchange, managed by the Spier Arts Trust, has played a vital role in fostering the growth of emerging fine artists from Southern Africa. With a focus on offering exhibition opportunities, mentorship, and sponsorship of art materials, the Creative Exchange provides artists with the tools needed to establish their professional practices. In 2024, the programme partnered with HUB Gallery and AVA Gallery, further strengthening its mission of providing gallery representation, which enhances artists’ visibility and credibility in the competitive art market. Through curatorial guidance and direct access to influential galleries, this initiative continues to elevate South African artists on the global stage.
For more information: Nando’s Creative Exchange
2. The Latitudes Podcast: Amplifying African Visual Arts
In its second season, The Latitudes Podcast has solidified its position as a leading voice in the African arts scene. Hosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane, this platform has captured the imagination of a global audience, by offering engaging conversations with a diverse range of guests , including artists, cultural activists, and industry leaders. The podcast continues to expand its reach, highlighting contemporary African visual arts and exploring the economic and cultural potential of Africa’s art ecosystem. Through its high production quality and insightful content, The Latitudes Podcast fosters a deeper appreciation for African creativity, both locally and internationally.
For more information: The Latitudes Podcast
3. Mzansi Classical Music Collective: Championing South African Classical Talent
The Mzansi Classical Music Collective (MCMC), founded in 2022, emerged in response to the limited professional platforms available for South African classical musicians and composers. In 2024, the Collective’s efforts have been instrumental in addressing the dominance of international performers at major concert venues across South Africa. By focusing on homegrown talent, MCMC provides local artists with increased performance opportunities, fair compensation, and a platform on which to showcase their work. This initiative enriches South Africa’s cultural landscape, inspires young musicians, and builds a stronger audience for classical music within the country.
For more information: Mzansi Classical Music Collective
4. My Body My Space: Public Arts Festival 2025
The My Body My Space (MBMS) Festival, organised by the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC), celebrated its 9th edition in 2024, with a commitment to promoting cultural exchange through dance, workshops, and performances. The festival, which primarily impacts rural communities in Emakhazeni, is a vital platform for the inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the arts. MBMS serves as a beacon of creativity, with programmes such as the Arteries Programme and the Central Nervous System (CNS) Programme, bringing people together through the power of dance and movement. In 2025, the festival will mark its 10th anniversary, amplifying its efforts to support cultural inclusion and economic empowerment.
For more information: My Body My Space Festival
5. South African Clay Awards 2024: Celebrating Ceramic Excellence
The South African Clay Awards, held biennially at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery Clay Museum, continues to celebrate the diversity of ceramic artistry in the country. In 2024, the Awards showcased the immense talent of local ceramicists through a competition that wasopen to all South African residents aged 18 and older. With no entry fee, the Awards ensure inclusive participation and recognition of excellence in the ceramic arts. Rust-en-Vrede Gallery’s recent affiliation with the International Academy of Ceramics has provided the exhibition with international visibility, offering South African ceramicists a global platform from which to showcase their work.
For more information: South African Clay Awards
6. SA Operatunity NPC: Bringing Opera to Underserved Communities
SA Operatunity’s Day of Reconciliation Concert, held on December 16, 2024, at Chris Hani Arts and Culture High School in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, marked a significant cultural event aimed at providing access to high-quality cultural experiences for underserved communities in Greater Cape Town. The concert, blending operatic classics with African rhythms, pop songs, and Christmas carols, was designed to appeal to a diverse audience. By bringing world-class performances to communities that often have limited access to arts events, SA Operatunity has contributed to the enrichment of the cultural fabric of Cape Town’s townships.
For more information: SA Operatunity
These recipients of BASA’s 2024 Supporting Grants have made a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of South Africa, contributing to the visibility, growth, and empowerment of artists across a variety of disciplines. BASA is proud to have played a role in supporting these transformative initiatives, which are a testament to the vibrant and ever-evolving world of the South African arts scene. Through partnerships like these, we continue to support the creativity that drives cultural dialogue and economic growth.
