BASA Powers Learn It Cluster at Conference

‘Learn It powered by Business and Arts South Africa,’ cluster four of the 2015 ACT | UJ Arts & Culture Conference is geared towards the business-minded and inspired creative.

Business and Arts South Africa (BASA NPC) has come on board for the third consecutive year as a partner of the 2015 ACT | UJ Arts & Culture Conference. This year’s support has been extended to a partnership in the ‘Learn It’ cluster, dedicated to connections between brands, business and the arts; and considering shared values and opportunities.

Curated in conjunction with BASA, this cluster will look at creative collaborations through partnerships, future markets, how to pitch perfectly and working with creatives, for non-creatives. Each discussion will consider practical examples and experiences, to help offer new perspectives, in the hopes of bridging the gaps between investors, enablers, creatives, and their markets.

“Given the current economic challenges and climate both internationally and locally, Business and Arts South Africa continues to look for real engagement between the private and arts sectors. We have supported this cluster because we really believe that there are great opportunities of shared value, demonstrating the power and importance of the arts in society as a whole. There are so many lessons we can learn from the arts, and we hope the session can provide real opportunities of engagement, and ultimately enthusiasm,” says BASA CEO Michelle Constant.

During this cluster, the ‘Creative Collaborations’ session will touch on the specifics of negotiation in the partnerships between corporates and creatives, while ‘Future Markets’ looks to empower creative practitioners to explore innovative ways of understanding their markets and making agile choices regarding their audience or buyer’s engagement with their creative product or service. ‘Pitch Perfect’ offers a practical session on how to pitch business ideas. The session on ‘Working with creatives, for non-creatives’ also promises to provide useful insights and stimulating opportunities for partners who need some guidance.

Experts in their fields, such as brand strategist Michael Rubenstein, curator Francis McKee and brand consultant Siphiwe Mpye will spearhead these conversations. Rolex protégé Lara Foot will consider shared value in conversation with brand expert Theresho Selesho, and representatives from Grolsch and Adidas. Members of BASA’s and British Council Connect ZA Programme on audience engagement, Yusrah Bardien and Jon Keevy, will contribute from their research and practical experience, in conversation with popular DJKenzhero, and creative markets expert Tom Porter, British Council ConnectZA Programme Manager.

Rubenstein, who will be conducting the workshop on pitching tactics entitled ‘Pitch Perfect’ says: “Lengthy explanations will not win over potential investors, because if they don’t get what you are saying in the shortest time possible, they might also believe that your customers won’t either.” Creating the perfect pitch requires a deep understanding of your own business, your product as well as customer needs; these tactics will be addressed in his session.

This section feeds into a Live Pitch – which will offer organisations, businesses and individuals the chance to pitch a creative entrepreneurial project to a panel of judges, with the possibility of winning one of three grants sponsored by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and Nedbank Arts Affinity, totaling R100 000.

The ACT | UJ Arts & Culture Conference is presented by the Arts & Culture Trust, UJ Arts & Culture and British Council Connect ZA, with support from the Department of Arts and Culture, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), SAMRO Foundation, Pro Helvetia, the European Union, the SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015; and media partners Classicfeel magazine and UJfm. The conference will run from the 8 – 10 March 2015, based at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

Tickets are now available via www.webtickets.co.za. Tickets range from R200 for one cluster, to R1000 for a full conference pass (Clusters 1 to 5). Student passes are R350 for attendance at Clusters 2 to 5. To stay up to date with information and opportunities, visit www.creativeconference.co.za #creativesmakeithappen

Connect with the speakers mentioned above: @connect_ZA @tp73 @ybardien @jonkeevy @djkenzhero @ThereshoSelesho @michconstant @basa_news @SAFMlifestyle @baxtertheatre @mikrubykili @francismckee, @siphiwempye

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent arts, culture and heritage funding and development agency. Through the Professional Development Programme, ACT provides support for all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre and dance, and the support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education and arts administration. More than just a funding agency, ACT is a proactive proponent of the arts in South Africa. Annual ACT Awards, for example, recognise the significant contributions made by artists towards the development and advancement of arts and culture in South Africa. ACT also makes three Performing Arts scholarships, to the combined value of R 315,000, available through its Scholarships Programme. To receive updates follow ACT on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/actorgza or like the Trust’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arts-Culture-Trust-ACT/162339817162875

UJ Arts & Culture (Advancement) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts. For regular updates follow @UJArtsCentre on Twitter or visit www.uj.ac.za/arts.

British Council Connect ZA is a major series of cultural exchanges between the UK and South Africa. The programme supports cultural connections between young people aged 18-35 with series of arts projects; and uses digital platforms to build creative networks through live music, film, visual art and design, literature and skills development. British Council Connect ZA aims to reach new and diverse audiences for the arts and stimulate innovation, forging new collaborations with organisations and individuals on both continents. The project is also part of SA-UK Seasons 2014 and 2015 which is a partnership between the Department of Arts & Culture, South Africa and the British Council. @connect_ZA #connectza connectza.tumblr.com

Business and Arts South Africa (NPC) is an internationally recognised South African development agency with a suite of integrated programmes implemented nationally and internationally. Business and Arts South Africa (NPC) encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts, contributing to corporate success and securing the future development of the arts sector in South Africa. Business and Arts South Africa (NPC) was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of the Department of Arts and Culture and the business sector as a public/private partnership @basa_news on Twitter. https://www.basa.co.za/

Author: Gilly Hemphill from The Famous Idea.
More Info link: https://www.creativeconference.co.za
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefamousidea
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefamousidea
Images: For high res version/s of Two image/s please contact: The Famous Idea.

Michelle Constant of Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)

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