Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for Cycle 4 of the BASA Supporting Grants Programme. Eligible candidates have until the 24th of January 2025 to submit their funding proposals for projects that promote artistic excellence, foster social cohesion and stimulate economic growth. Business and Arts South Africa Supporting Grant Programme is designed for artists, arts organisations and businesses to assist in activating sponsorship for a cross-section of arts projects in different regions of the country. This is done by providing financial support to a project that is in an already existing relationship between a business and an arts organisation.
Prospective partners must submit a one-page letter of interest, including a project description, the business sponsor’s name, the type of sponsorship, and an endorsement letter from the sponsor. For full application criteria and guidelines, see the Business and Arts South Africa Supporting Grants page at https://basa.co.za/grants/supporting-grants/. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit thorough online applications, which will be evaluated based on factors such as project scope, impact, feasibility as well as alignment with available funding. Projects that offer significant benefits to business sponsors will be prioritised, particularly when both the arts organisation and the sponsor(s) are BASA members.
Sipho Mthiyane, Supporting Grants Officer, shared, “In the previous cycle, the Supporting Grants Programme allocated a total of R430,000.00 to support 13 impactful projects. These initiatives also attracted an impressive R3 463,000.00 in both cash and in-kind sponsorships from the business sector. This outcome highlights the ongoing dedication to cultivating meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships between the business and arts sectors. By championing projects that inspire creativity and foster social engagement, we continue to bridge the gap between commerce and culture, enabling both industries to thrive together.”
Registering for BASA membership is simple and quick—visit the Membership – Business and Arts South Africa page at https://basa.co.za/membership/. For questions, contact Sipho Mthiyane at sipho@basa.co.za. The BASA Supporting Grants Programme is proudly funded by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture. To apply for a BASA Supporting Grant, both the arts applicant and the sponsor must complete the application forms, which are designed to encourage the two partners to work together and identify areas of potential benefit. BASA allocates funds to the project once it has assessed how the partnership benefits both the sponsor and the recipient. Once the grants have been approved, the projects and sponsors can be further profiled through BASA’s media partners. In addition, successful partnerships are encouraged to enter the BASA Awards
