Strauss & co - Review 2018

Being an Active Corporate Citizen Strauss & Co is a for-profit enterprise that relies on sales to prosper. But the company also recognises that it forms part of a larger community. Throughout 2018 Strauss & Co organised various social and educational initiatives, as well as hosted charitable initiatives. These pro-bono activities are a way of connecting with new art audiences, cultivating future collectors and encouraging appreciation of South Africa’s rich art history. In recognition of the company’s sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts, Strauss & Co received the discretionary Chairman’s Premier Award at the 21st BASA Awards. It is one of three BASA Special Awards that are not adjudicated by the judging panel. In his speech BASA chairman Andre le Roux highlighted the diversity of arts projects in which Strauss & Co is involved. They include the company’s activities at the annual RMB Turbine Art Fair; its patronage of the South African Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017; its commitment to the Cassirer Welz Award, an annual project with The Bag Factory Artists’ Studios that honours the memory of art dealer Reinhold Cassirer and auctioneer Stephan Welz; and its support of the AVA’s yearly special focuses including printmaking, photography and cartoons. Other yearly initiatives singled out by Le Roux were the Stephan Welz/Strauss & Co lecture series and presentations that occur during the Hermanus Fynarts Festival and Art Month at Welgemeend. This collaboration between the Friends of Welgemeend, Strauss & Co, Delaire Graff Estate, collectors Frank and Lizelle Kilbourn and others is aimed at supporting the historic Cape home of Welgemeend and its collections. In his citation, Le Roux made special mention of Welz, who a decade ago founded Strauss & Co with the vision to create, not only South Africa’s foremost fine art auction house, but an institution that plays a significant role in growing the country’s creative industries. 32