The BASA member's sponsorship of the internship position is an illustration of RMB's firm belief in doing good business and good work, as well as how the business of the arts and the art of business can leverage off each other.
Germaine Gamiet, marketing and operations manager at Business and Arts South Africa, says that 142 applications were received for this year's position. "Very few people wake up early in life to a career as an arts administrator - people in this area of the arts usually fall into it later in their working life, almost by default," says Gamiet. "What the BASA Internship programme does is give a new graduate the chance to immerse themselves in all aspects of arts administration, whilst also identifying their own learning goals and working towards those during the year."
Among the opportunities offered by the programme are networking, eventing, access to training, a deeper understanding of the needs of both business and arts, and research. Experience in each of the specific BASA focus areas - including the BASA mentorship programme, in association with Etana, as well as the BASA Supporting Grant Scheme- give emerging administrators invaluable
insight into the importance of partnerships and relationships in the arts. The BASA intern also assists with the annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American as well as provides significant support in the areas of marketing and communications portfolio.
For Morgan, who has already spent a year working at the Tshwane Dance Theatre as the company manager, the chance to gain arts administration experience is an exciting one. "I trained in dance at the NSA and the Tshwane University of Technology so come with a good understanding of the needs of creatives and arts practitioners," she says.
"The chance to use that knowledge whilst learning how business operates and what business expects in its relationship with the arts is invaluable to my long term aim to become an arts administrator with a holistic knowledge." Adds Gamiet: "We have seen over the past three years how the interns emerge with a strong skills set, and we are very pleased to have Lakin join our team for 2012. It's going to be an exciting year."
Interns are selected on the basis of their education, experience, and enthusiasm for the arts. The position runs from January to December each year. For more information about the BASA RMB Internship Programme, go to www.basa.co.za.
