‘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,” says BASA CEO
Michelle Constant. “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.”
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, totalling 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 March 8 to 10, based at the University
of Johannesburg (UJ).
Tickets available via www.webtickets.co.za
range from R200 for one cluster, to R1,000 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
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