Series of BASA workshops at Moshito turn spotlight on unlocking corporate funds

Last edited: August 22, 2011

Posted by Business and Arts South Africa

Business and Arts South Africaâ€™s important role in facilitating free artist access to the knowledge and advice of experts gets another boost with a series of workshop taking place at this yearâ€™s Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition.

The BASA workshops, in partnership with the National Arts Festival, will focus on accessing three areas of corporate funding - marketing/sponsorship, corporate social investment/responsibility, and B-BBEE.

Spread over three sessions, the BASA workshops at Moshito take place on Thursday September 1st at 10h00, 11h30 and 13h30, at Sci-Bono in Newtown, Johannesburg. Entrance to the BASA workshops is free but space is limited so those wanting to participate in it need to register by August 31st (see details below).

The workshop will be presented by Sisa Jack, head of the Ambassador Programme at Africa Empowered, and Janet Watts, an arts education practitioner who is currently managing the Arts, Culture and Heritage programme at Tshikululu Corporate Social Investments.

They are joined by Bandile Mngoma, Sponsorships & Events Manager at Old Mutual (SA) who will be running a session on marketing and sponsorship. Mngoma will outline some of the objectives of corporate sponsorship in the arts through marketing and sponsorship spends, as well as highlight key elements needed in making the sponsorship approach â€“ all with the outcome of a mutually beneficial relationship.

Jackâ€™s focus will be on acquainting participants with an overview of the seven elements of B-BBEE, as identified by the DTI. This will lead into several practical insights â€“ including how arts organisations can benefit and unlock funding using the elements of the B-BBEE scorecards and how lack of compliance can be an impediment in accessing opportunities from the corporate sector, using B-BBEE as a vehicle. Jackâ€™s presentation will also give insight into the importance of BEE rating in unlocking support from the corporate sector and the role good corporate governance and statutory related issues can play as well.

Wattsâ€™ will concentrate on getting participants to properly position their offering. â€œThrough the discussions generated during the workshop, the role of artists and arts groups in both the formal and informal sectors will be explored,â€ says Watts. â€œAs participants articulate their value in society, they will become more focused on the opportunities for innovative partnerships with each other and with corporates.â€

Participants at the BASA Moshito workshop donâ€™t need to be registered as a delegate at the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition. However they are required to fill out the registration form for the BASA workshops.

The workshop is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and the National Arts Festival.

For more information and registration details go to: www.basa.co.za, call 011-447-2295, or email Arthur Nkuna: arthur@basa.co.za

BASA Workshop sessions on 1 September:

10h00 - 11h15: Facilitated by Janet Watts

11h30 - 12h30: Facilitated by Sisa Jack

13h30 - 14h30: Facilitated by Bandile Mngoma

About Business and Arts South Africa:

Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) is an internationally recognised South African development agency which incorporates the arts into, and contributes to, corporates' commercial success. With a suite of integrated programmes, Business and Arts South Africa encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts. Business and Arts South Africa was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of government and the business sector, to secure the future development of the arts industry in South Africa, through increased corporate sector involvement. Established as a Section 21 company, Business and Arts South Africa is accountable to both government and its business members.

About the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund

The NLDTF relies on funds generated by the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act identifies the manner in which NLDTF funding may be allocated. The Minister of Trade and Industry, on the recommendation of the industry experts
in the relevant Distributing Agency, makes the policy that guides the allocation of funds to beneficiaries. It is the aim of the NLDTF that the grants made will make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more
vulnerable. The NLDTF is dedicated to improving sustainability of the beneficiary organisations it funds.

The NLDTF currently has in the region of R1, 5 billion a year to distribute to registered non-profit organisations in the fields of charities, arts, culture and national heritage and sport and recreation that meet the advertised qualifying criteria. The NLDTF places emphasis on areas of greatest need and
greatest potential, so that all South Africans can gain from, and contribute to, South Africaâ€™s development.

About the National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival, now in its 38th year, has proved its sustainability and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audience