SAMĀNATĀ: SOUTH ASIAN QUEER PERFORMANCE SEED COMMISSION

Jaivant Patel Company, Wolverhampton and Kala Sangam, Bradford are once again offering seed commissions to a South Asian LGBTQIA+ identifying artist/creative to support the development of innovative new performance-based work. Samānatā translates as equality.

Seed commission applications for this performance-based work will place South Asian Queerness at the forefront of its subject matter, to address current under-representation on the UK cultural landscape.

What we’re looking for:

• New work: new ideas, or projects still at the early work-in-progress stage and performance-based in nature created by South Asian LGBTQIA+ identifying artists/creatives.
• Work exploring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual + (LGBTQIA+) and/or gender themes.
• Work that reflects current social, political, or cultural concerns.
• Bold, unconventional, and innovative work, that takes performance artforms in new directions. Applications involving cross-artforms welcome.
• Devised, self-made and/or solo work.

What we’re offering:

• £2800 seed commission.
• An opportunity to test and develop ideas in early stages that is free of any expectation or finished end product.
• 5 days R&D space in Bradford or Wolverhampton in Autumn 2025 (Sept-Dec). Note this is subject to availability.
• 2 days mentoring from Jaivant Patel, Artistic Director of Jaivant Patel Company.
• Additional access, counselling, or coaching costs up to £200.

Volunteering Opportunities for our exciting two-year Arts & Heritage Community Project

The Arts and Heritage project is a partnership between Kala Sangam, Keighley Creative, Bloomin’ Buds Theatre Company and South Square Centre. Each hub has a dedicated Arts and Heritage Officer, who is working directly with communities to build programmes of activities inspired by their heritages.

As the groups explore their heritage and culture, we are looking for volunteers to support the delivery of workshops throughout the duration of the project, this may involve setting up, supporting participants throughout and if applicable leading sessions,  admin (filling out forms, registers etc) shadowing, meeting with diverse community groups.

The type of workshop and artforms used will be led by what the groups want to do.

Benefits:

• You will develop your confidence and life skills.
• The opportunity to meet and work alongside four arts organisations
• The opportunity to work alongside or with professional freelance artists
• Work related learning that will support your CV and career development, including the opportunity to self-direct your placement experience
• A commitment to provide you with a reference
• A certificate or letter that charts the number of hours volunteering and supporting our organisation.

If you are interested in being involved, please contact Amer on amer@kalasangam.org or give her a call on 07512 328372