Focusing on support for the 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 on the basis of their particular objectives. 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. The closing date for entries is 31 January 2005.
Contact Business and Arts South Africa for more information: www.basa.co.za.
