It was through Slack's efforts that Business and Arts South Africa was originally founded 15 years ago. In 1997 she became the chairperson of BASA while getting 50 companies to join. Through the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and the foundation she has created with her daughters, Slack has an extensive and diverse involvement in funding the arts.
The Chairman's Premier Award this year went to Artist Proof Studio (APS) which celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2012. APS's history dates back to 1983 when artist Kim Berman established APS in Johannesburg with fellow artist Nhlanhla Xaba. The intention of the studio was to train potentially talented artists, from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to become professionals. The studio now trains between 80 and 100 students each year.
The list of winners at this year's awards showcase the diverse ways that business can support the arts. Winners ranged from large corporates like Sasol which has been sponsoring the Sasol New Signature Art Competition since 1990 and Nando's, which now has one of the largest collection of South African art outside Africa, to a smaller enterprise such as Pinpoint One Human Resources which has given support to APS.
Winning in the Arts and Environment category was the Beacon Island Resort sponsored project Site Specific International Land Art Event. Mentor of the Year was named as Alecia Nkadimeng who has structured HR policies for The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative. Winner in the First Time Sponsor category was Hyundai which showed its support for South African music through its sponsorship of the South African MK Awards.
Izwi Lomzansi 98.0 FM won two awards for its support of the radio show Love in the Air where written creative art is showcased in a form of poems and literature and which has helped to increase access to the arts in communities that may not otherwise have had contact with them.
"We were delighted at the quality of entries this year. The winners and finalists really demonstrated that even in the current economic downswing businesses and arts organisations are engaging in innovative and important partnerships," said Business and Arts South Africa CEO, Michelle Constant.
