Great sponsorship opportunities at the Venice Biennale 2017

For art enthusiasts, la Biennale di Venezia (the Venice Biennale) is quite possibly the holy grail of cultural festivals around the world. Founded in 1895, the it takes place every two years, showcasing the arts, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre on a global scale. The Biennale organisation also spearheads research and promotion of new contemporary art trends, and organises exhibitions in all the sectors mentioned above.

The 57th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia takes place from 13 May to 26 November 2017 in Venice, Italy. South Africa will be represented in the exhibition by Candice Breitz and Mohau Modisakeng.

Digital content and television production company Connect Channel has been appointed to organise the South African pavilion at this year’s Biennale. Our good friend Ann Roberts of Connect Channel is part of the team putting the whole thing together. She has some amazing sponsorship opportunities available for companies or individuals who are passionate about the arts in South Africa – specifically promoting local talent on the international stage.

“While we did get a budget to cover the successful staging of the exhibition from the Department of Arts and Culture – for which we’re eternally grateful, of course – there are still loads of opportunities to do amazing things, both here at home and at the South African Pavilion at the Biennale,” she says.

“Apart from events and competitions, we are also hoping to offer two young, emerging curators the opportunity to attend the Biennale as part of a mentorship programme. This experience would prove invaluable in their development and contribute enormously to the arts community in South Africa.”

CN&CO’s Carel Nolte is no stranger to the art world – or indeed to the Biennale. He attended a few years ago with Jeanetta Blignaut and Dick Enthoven of Spier, so he knows all about the excitement and importance of the festival.

“The Biennale is truly a world stage for the arts,” he says. “South Africa can hold its head high in this environment. We have some truly gifted and skilled homegrown artists who never fail to put on a great show.”

At CN&CO we love surrounding ourselves with art, and tend towards working with people and companies who share this passion. Some examples are RMB CIB, Business and Arts South Africa, Standard Bank Wealth and Investment and Purple Group. So you see why we’re keen to help Ann and Connect Channel team to drum up some financial support for the South Africa pavilion at this year’s Biennale!

Apart from the curator mentorship programme, there are also opportunities for art-loving sponsors to get involved in:

• Video content production for web, mobile and broadcast – a perfect opportunity for brands that identify as creative to align themselves with the “Olympics of the Art World”

• Win a trip to the Venice Biennale in collaboration with our media partners

• Sponsor the party/ies – an opportunity for South African brands to co-host the Mother of all African Events at this year’s Biennale

• Logistics – help our crew to get to Venice and have a bed to sleep in while they’re there!

Ann says sponsors will not only get exposure at the Biennale itself, but also here at home.

“Being a media company within the Multichoice stable, we have access to some amazing media opportunities both within Multichoice and through our relationships with other media companies,” she says. “We’re willing to be very creative!”

For more info, email or call Ann on ann@connect.tv or +27 (0)82 783 0437.

Download the Connect Channel press release

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Also read: Arts and minds: Not that sinking feeling again on Times Live