Call to nominate for BASA Awards 2013

"This year, we want to throw the net even wider and are encouraging the nomination of arts-business partnerships through as many channels as possible," said Business and Arts South Africa's CEO, Michelle Constant.

Twelve of the 15 categories at the 16th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American, are now open for entry, encompassing all creative mediums and a wide spectrum of partnerships, from small and in-kind to large-scale or long term.

Covering all aspects of the arts, each of the 12 categories is of equal value, with winners each receiving a specially commissioned work of art.

Bringing genuine value and benefit

The prestige and significance of winning a Business Day BASA Award, is based on the evaluation of the success of each partnership in achieving the objectives of the business and the artist or art project, and in bringing genuine value and benefit to both. Factors such as the innovative nature of the partnership, value and success of the project are taken into account by an independent panel of judges, which will adjudicate the entries according to the specific criteria of each category.

Entry into the 16th Annual Business Day BASA Awards is facilitated by an online system on the basa.co.za website, which is continually streamlined to ensure ease of use and will remain open until 10 May, 2013.

The full list of categories is as follows:

• Innovation Award: This award recognises the most innovative and progressive partnership in all mediums of creativity; one that has served all the partners' purposes effectively over the past 12 months and highlighted creativity and originality in the process.
  
• First Time Sponsor Award: For a business supporting the arts for the first time, regardless of size, budget, or whether it is CSI or marketing.
  
• Increasing Access to the Arts Award: For a partnership that has encouraged specific audience engagement with the arts or has made a significant contribution to brand, market and audience development, while still promoting the business through above-the-line media or a partnership that has made a significant contribution to regeneration or sustainable growth through a CSI budget.
  
• International Sponsorship Award: Awarded to a global-level partnership that builds brand reputation and audience for both the business and arts organisations across international borders through an event or marketing project showcasing SA to the rest of the world, and/or bringing international arts projects to South Africa.
  
• Long-term Partnership Award: A company which has significantly developed and expanded its commitment to an arts project over three years or longer. The value to the arts project, the broader community and the business must be apparent.
  
• Media Sponsorship Award: For consistent and innovative support given by electronic, print, broadcast and web-based media.
  
• Single Strategic Project Award: For an outstanding single sponsorship, with best use of a project, which is an integral part of the sponsors overall brand and marketing programme.
  
• Small Business Award: For vital support given to the arts by a small company with one to 200 full-time employees and an annual turnover of no more than R10 million.
  
• Sponsorship In Kind Award: For a company giving non-financial support to the arts.
  
• Youth Development Award: For projects which involve young artists and/or young audiences; an educational and development element should be implicit in the sponsorship.
  
• Arts and Environment Award: (supported by Nedbank) For business support of arts and culture projects which contribute towards the sustainability of the environment.
  
• Mentor of the Year Award: (supported by Etana) Recognises the long-term contribution of a volunteer business mentor to arts organisations through the Mentorship Programme, and only mentors from the BASA Mentorship Programme are eligible for this award.

Categories to be awarded by the chairman and the judging panel:

• Diplomacy in the Arts: Given in recognition of Foreign Missions which contribute to the development and preservation of the arts in South Africa as well as the continued prioritisation of cultural diplomacy between South Africa and the international community.
  
• Art Champion Award: Awarded to an individual for outstanding achievement in the encouragement of business support for the arts.
  
• Chairman's Premier Award: This is made at the discretion of the chairman of BASA and recognises sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa.
  The Awards are audited by Grant Thornton. The closing date for entries for the BASA Awards is 10 May 2013.

The easy-to-use online nomination system can be accessed on the BASA website at www.basa.co.za. The awards section features tips, guidelines, rules and regulations and online nomination forms. Information about previous winners can also be found on this website.

Those requiring more information can also call Lakin Morgan at the BASA offices on +27 (0)11 447 2295 or +27 (0)11 447 2289 or email az.oc.asab@nikal.