(Michelle Constant)
Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) have announced that
current CEO, Michelle Constant, has resigned and will leave the organisation at
the end of February, 2019.
Says Andre le Roux, BASA’s chairperson:
“The Board is extremely proud of what BASA, under Michelle’s
excellent leadership, has achieved over the past decade. It is pertinent that
the theme for this year’s BASA awards is ‘Legacy’ because there is no doubt
that Michelle leaves an extraordinary legacy in the ongoing task to bring the
creative sector into its rightful place in the mainstream economy. The awards
also afford our more than 120 members - and the arts community broadly - a
wonderful opportunity to celebrate with Michelle.”
Citing the need for new energy to take BASA forward and her
own desire to explore fresh frontiers, Constant expressed her deep appreciation
for her time at the internationally recognised South African development
agency.
“I have had an extraordinary 10 years at BASA and have truly
grown to love the organisation,” stated Constant. “During my decade at BASA, I
have witnessed the difference it makes in the arts sector - not just in South
Africa but on the continent, something that was gratifyingly apparent at my
most recent presentations in Namibia and in Ethiopia at the African Union.
“I believe that, together with the Department of Arts &
Culture, the board, a diverse team and various sectors including business and
tourism, we have built up a healthy and vibrant organisation. I look forward to
welcoming my successor to what is a truly meaningful and deeply rewarding
position within the arts-business landscape.”
Constant joined BASA in 2008, and, under her stewardship,
the agency has grown into an important one on the continent and beyond. Its
current suite of integrated programmes, for both businesses and arts practitioners
and organisations, as well as research, toolkits and other elements of BASA’s
growing Knowledge Hub are testament to Constant’s vision and the robust team
she has built. The past decade has seen the implementation of several important
partnerships that have helped fulfil BASA’s mission to ensure the relevance and
sustainability of the arts in South Africa by providing expertise in the
development of partnerships between business and the arts.
Says le Roux: “Having the luxury of such a strong foundation
and six months to appoint a successor, is indicative of Michelle’s leadership.
Our HR board committee has already met to start the recruitment process and we
are excited for the next BASA chapter.”
Business and Arts South Africa NPC (BASA) is an
internationally recognised South African development agency with a suite of
integrated programmes implemented nationally and internationally.
BASA encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between
business and the arts, securing the future development of the arts sector in
South Africa and contributing to corporate success through Shared Value.
BASA was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of the
Department of Arts and Culture and the business sector as a public/private
partnership.
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