The annual awards are South Africa’s most prestigious accolades recognising the contributions of the business sector to the arts across all genres.

A total of 11 awards were given out in various categories, two of which went to BMW South Africa and Southern Guild in recognition of their unique programme pairing luxury-class motoring with the best of South African design over the course of 2018. The Innovation Award celebrates the most innovative and progressive partnership in all mediums of creativity while the Strategic Project Award recognises an outstanding initiative, with the best use of a project that is an integral part of the sponsor’s business strategy.

Accepting the two awards at the event, held at Beechwood Gardens in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, were Sydney Hammond, Brand Specialist at BMW Group South Africa, and Dion Chang, board member of the Design Foundation, on behalf of Southern Guild.

“BMW is thrilled to join its partner Southern Guild as a two-time winner in the BASA Awards for 2019. BASA has long championed companies that work not only in the economy of our country but also the heart and soul of the arts. Our long-standing partnership with Southern Guild is a source of pride for all of us at BMW, and we are excited to be part of the awards,” said Thilosh Moodally, General Manager: BMW Customer, Brand & Channel Development at BMW Group South Africa.

Now in its second year, the partnership between BMW and Southern Guild centres on a series of activations aligning a different luxury-class BMW vehicle to each exhibition at the Cape Town gallery, located in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront. During 2018 alone, the partnership produced a total of 14 activations, from commissioned artworks and special installations inside the gallery to bespoke VIP experiences and film productions. This translated into just over R1 million in commissions and work that directly benefited the South African design community.

“At a time when retail markets are under immense pressure globally, BMW’s support of Southern Guild demonstrates a nimble understanding of the role that design can play in our economy,” said Trevyn McGowan, co-founder of Southern Guild. “With its focus on excellence, innovation and high-performance design, BMW stimulated the production of new work and had a tangible impact on the local industry.

BMW has demonstrated a long-term commitment to modern and contemporary art internationally. The partnership with Southern Guild enabled it to cement that reputation for South African audiences, who have not experienced the cultural programmes BMW sponsors in Europe, the US and elsewhere. In turn, Southern Guild’s global reputation was enhanced by the association with BMW, as one of the world’s premium automotive manufacturers.