Entries open for 2003 Business Day/BASA Awards

All businesses operating within South Africa, large or small, who have supported the arts in any genre, whether in cash or in kind during the period 1 January to 31 December 2003 may enter; alternatively, the recipient arts organisation may nominate their sponsor for an award.

Focusing on sponsorship of arts and cultural events, projects or organisations, these annual awards recognise creative business thinking and identify partnerships that go beyond simple chequebook sponsorship and make a difference to both sponsor and recipient. Sponsorship spend continues to grow annually and by highlighting business-arts partnerships, the awards illustrate how effective and viable a business communications tool the arts are while, at the same time, lifting the profile of the arts sector in our country. This is increasingly important in the light of the King 2 report; new strategic thinking needs new solutions such as those offered through investment in the arts.

There are 12 award categories, including the Chairman's Award for sustained excellence made at the discretion of BASA's Chairman.

Judges, drawn from business, marketing and the arts, will evaluate the success of each sponsorship programme in achieving the objectives of the sponsoring company and in bringing genuine benefits to the arts organisation and the broader community. In cases of multiple sponsorship of a single event, all sponsors are eligible to enter. Factors such as the innovative nature of the sponsorship will also be taken into account.

The nomination/entry form may be completed by the sponsoring company and/or the arts organisation, except in the Strategic Sponsorship category which must be completed by the sponsoring business itself. Sponsors may be entered in a maximum of two categories.

Contact Business and Arts South Africa for more information and for the nomination/entry forms, at telephone 011 784 9994 (from 1 November on 011 832 3000); or email or visit our website {[www.basa.co.za. The closing date for entries is 28 February 2004.