Media sponsorship vital for arts - BASA

These sponsorships have unique features as audiences often emotionally engage with a brand or property partnership in the arts. BASA hopes to encourage electronic, print, broadcast and web based media to consistently look for innovative ways to support the arts and develop audiences.

Urging media to enter

Last year's finalists in the Media Sponsorship category encompassed a broad spectrum. kykNET was rewarded for the synergistic partnership it has developed with the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees; winner in the category CLASSICFEEL not only gave Dance Umbrella substantial coverage but helped develop new sponsors; CitiVibe in The Citizen newspaper was the sponsor of the Listen with Your Eyes Festival 2010 while Die Burger was recognised for its achievements as title sponsor of the Suidoosterfees since its inception in 2003.

Michelle Constant, CEO of BASA, has urged all media who have supported arts and culture projects to enter this year's awards. The BASA Awards recognise and encourage excellence and innovation in the field of business support for the arts. Imaginative, innovative and cost-effective partnerships between business and the arts are highlighted, demonstrating the potential for synergy, the window of mutual opportunity and the far reaching benefits for business, for the arts, and for all South Africans.

Any company who sponsors the arts can enter and businesses do not have to be BASA members in order to enter nor do they have to have received funding from BASA in order to be eligible to enter a project for the BASA Awards. The closing date for entries is Friday, 18 May 2012.