Looking back on our May 2026 London Symposium
In May 2026 our international symposium brought dancers, arts industry experts, thought leaders, musicians and scholars together in London to reflect on choreography as critical intervention.
Speakers and guests travelled from Leeds, Manchester, Exeter, Leicester, Hampshire, France, Spain, India to join our discussions across the day, proving to be a fantastic opportunity to learn from each other, exchange experiences and work together on critical frameworks accessible and applicable to the ethos, vision, and practices of dance and music organisations across Britain.
Across three themed sessions and one open house session, 13 speakers shared their insights from the dance sector, through their lens of experience as South Asian practitioners.
‘As a dance scholar-artist, I was motivated to think more about the immediate and long term impact of my research. It was extremely productive to learn about the ongoing efforts of arts organizations across the UK, and the outcomes of funded programs. The insights on strategies to gain arts grants was also immensely helpful.’ – Dr Priya Venkat, Raman University of Exeter
‘The sessions were incredibly insightful and the whole experience felt deeply empowering. It was a privilege to be among such encouraging and inspiring fellow speakers. Your team did a flawless job bringing everyone together and creating such a vibrant space for connection.’ – Meera Vinaya Krishna, Head of Operations and Business development, Bhavan UK
‘I genuinely enjoyed it and I met a lot of super interesting people’ – Professor Anamik Saha
As part of our planned programme, Arts Council England unveiled their Development work in South Asian music and dance report, representing research highlighting the important steps that have been taken in strengthening shared understanding of how South Asian dance operates within the wider dance ecology in England. Read more about the report below.
Thank you to everyone that joined us in sharing your time and knowledge.
Photos by Joshua Lowry.
“I’m pleased to share that Arts Council England has now published a new enquiry exploring career progression routes in South Asian dance, alongside a practical resource designed to support artists and practitioners across the sector,” said Arts Council England Relationship Manager (Dance & Diversity), Seetal Kaur.
“The enquiry draws on insights gathered through the roundtables and consultations held in December 2024 with dancers, freelancers, teachers, organisations and cultural leaders across England. The research highlights both the vibrancy of the sector and some of the structural challenges affecting career development and progression opportunities.
Alongside the enquiry, we have also published a new resource pack bringing together information on training opportunities, mentoring, funding programmes and networks to help practitioners navigate support available across the dance ecology.
Together, the enquiry and resource aim to support stronger connections, clearer progression routes and improved access to opportunities for artists working across South Asian dance practices.
This work marks an important step in strengthening shared understanding of how South Asian dance operates within the wider dance ecology in England. It also recognises the significant contribution that artists working across South Asian dance practices make to the cultural life of this country through a rich range of artistic traditions, contemporary interpretations and evolving forms.
The insights from this enquiry will continue to inform conversations around talent development, leadership pathways, and the sustainability of freelance careers across the sector. Arts Council England will continue working with artists, organisations and partners to explore how progression routes and opportunities for development can be strengthened further.”
Abid Hussain, Director, Diversity, Arts Council England, added: “South Asian dance brings so much richness to the cultural life of this country, drawing on a wide range of artistic traditions and forms. This report demonstrates how vibrant the sector is, but it also reminds us that we still have work to do to ensure underrepresented artists can access the opportunities they deserve. I’m grateful to everyone who shared their time, experiences, and insights to help shape this research.”
Kala The Arts’ International Symposium at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadlers Wells
Exploring the topic of ‘Bold Ways of Being South Asian: Choreography as Critical Intervention’.
Location: Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN
Date: Saturday 23rd May
Time: 10am-5pm
Ticket price: £25 standard, £20 concessions
We feel the urgency to gather artists, academics and funders to think through this topic because of the shrinking space for resistance in the arts, as it struggles to convey its importance as an instrumental wellbeing project. We are celebrating the national week of wellbeing through this.
Our symposium will create a space where scholars, collaborators, composers, choreographers, curators, producers, funders, venues, organisations and artists can work together, making critical frameworks accessible and applicable to the ethos, vision, and practices of dance and music organisations across Britain.
“At a moment when parts of Britain question whether multiculturalism has ‘weakened’ national identity, our symposium calls for bold new ways to affirm the South Asian presence in British culture. The challenges faced by our cultural sector including tokenism, environmental injustice, invisibility and structural inequities all require a detailed response.” – The Partnership
We also bring lived experience of the issues faced by South Asian dance in the UK and of the challenges and opportunities which could be available to us.
We will have presentations from the Arts Council, academics who are devising new paradigms of belonging and artists, curators, producers, arts organisations who contribute to a fairer, happier and more fulfilled society.
Programme
- Paradigms of Belonging: Visibility and diversity in the cultural industry within the UK and internationally
- Dance as Critical and Bold Social Practice: Considering wellbeing and resistance
- Sustainability and Legacy: Pathways, partnerships, tourism sector/ industry and future ecosystems
- Open House
Timetable
9.45–10.15am Registration
10.15–10.30am Welcome by Kala’s Artistic Director and Introductions
10.30–11.30am Paradigms of Belonging: Visibility and Diversity in the Cultural Industry Within the UK and Internationally
11.30–11.45am Q&A
11.45am–12.00pm Break
12.00–1.00pm Dance as Critical and Bold Social Practice: Considering Wellbeing and Resistance
1.00–1.15pm Q&A
1.15–2.15pm Lunch
2.15–3.15pm Sustainability and Legacy: Pathways, Partnerships, Tourism Sector / Industry and Future Ecosystems
3.15–3.30pm Q&A
3.30–3.45pm Break
3.45–4.45pm Open House, Q&A: An interactive closing session inviting all participants to contribute, question, and reflect, ensuring a truly collective dialogue.
4.45–5.00pm Summation and Conclusion
Live Performances
Carnatic Vocal Music
A specially curated live vocal performance showcasing the richness of South Indian classical music traditions.
Odissi Dance Performance
A specially curated live performance for this symposium
Speakers and Contributors
Academics & Scholars/Thought Leaders
Dr Purkayastha’s award-winning book Indian Modern Dance, Feminism and Transnationalism and her AHRC-funded project on equity in South Asian dance have significantly shaped critical discourse.
Co-editor of the European Journal of Cultural Studies, his work critically examines race, media, identity, and cultural representation in contemporary society.
A key voice in performance studies, Priyanka’s research engages with South Asian performance, diaspora and cultural identity, bridging academic research with contemporary artistic practice
A scholar-practitioner working at the intersection of performance, dramaturgy and cultural theory, contributing fresh perspectives on embodiment and practice-led research.
Aparna is a Lecturer in Drama at the Department of Communications, Drama and Film, University of Exeter. She holds a PhD in Drama from the University of Exeter (2020), completed jointly with the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore and is currently writing her first monograph Street Theatre and Political Organising in India (Bloomsbury). Her research and teaching is primarily concerned with performance’s relationship with political action. More recently, her work has focussed on performance as an important site for examining how and why repressive legality is exercised.
An internationally celebrated artist-scholar, Malini has been honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for her outstanding contributions to arts and academia, representing Indian culture globally.
Artists & Practitioners
Recognised for his contribution to music, Rekesh is known for innovative cross-cultural work and excellence in performanc
An award-winning artist and cultural leader, Sushmita has led Kala The Arts for over 25 years, championing South Asian dance, diversity, and inclusion across the UK and internationally. Sushmita has been a trailblazer in advocating for Odissi, one of the oldest classical dance forms from India, in the UK. Her passion and knowledge has led her to break away from its rigidity, making it more contemporary and accessible.
Sushmita has actively addressed mental health concerns, facilitating holistic learning experiences for her students. Her works impact on communities, education, and the promotion of South Asian dance and culture is both extensive and enduring.
Cultural Leaders, Policy & Sector Voices
Cultural Leaders, Policy & Sector Voices
A leading figure in the UK cultural sector, Keranjeet has played a pivotal role in advocacy, development and visibility of South Asian arts nationally.
Leading the UK’s national body for outdoor arts, Sho works across policy, advocacy and sector-building, supporting innovative and accessible performance practices. He has worked as executive producer for 16 years in his last role breaking barriers for disabled artists, producers and audiences.
Working at the heart of national cultural policy, Seetal supports and champions diverse dance practices and equitable sector development.
A specialist in outdoor and festival arts, Sophie brings expertise in public engagement, large-scale programming and artist development.
Meera Vinaya Krishna holds extensive cross-sector experience in South Asian dance and music.
We invite anyone who has thoughts, questions and changes to contribute to the open house we will facilitate. Overall, this event aims to add power and boldness to South Asian culture in Britain and the invitation is to join that movement.
The event will run from 10.00am to 5.00pm and so there will of course be many opportunities for people to ask questions and discuss the issues, as well as socialise and network.
Our mission in the symposium is to use our shared space to think about South Asian dance critically in the dance industry. We’ll be hearing from dance scholars who have been studying the problems facing the sector for many years. We’ll be connecting our guests to artists and organisations who have been deeply reflective of the challenges they face in creating art that challenges and breaks many barriers.
This symposium is an invitation to anyone working in the creative sector. If you are interested and available, we would love to have you attend this day and be part of the symposium.
Arts Council England to share new paper alongside South Asian Dance & Music resource for delegates
As part of our rich programme of events, Arts Council England will be sharing a newly published paper and practical resource at the Symposium, reporting back on their enquiry into the difficulties surrounding career progression in South Asian dance.
Following interviews with dancers, teachers and organisers from our sector, ACE’s enquiry takes stock of the current status quo, whilst its resource aims to support stronger connections, clearer progression routes and improved access to opportunities for artists working across South Asian dance practices.
The enquiry marks an important step in strengthening shared understanding of how South Asian dance operates within the wider dance ecology in England, and we’re looking forward to hearing responses from our delegates at the Symposium.
Our final line-up for speakers are being confirmed, please check back for more updates in the coming weeks.
Please email office@kalathearts.co.uk if interested to find out more, or you wish to contribute to the programme.
Directions
How to get to Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadlers Wells – Directions from Waterloo station (via tube)
Step 1: Enter the station
- Start inside Waterloo Station.
- Follow signs for the London Underground (Tube).
- Walk about 2 minutes (85 ft) to reach the Tube platforms.
Step 2: Take the Jubilee line
- At Waterloo Underground, take the Jubilee line heading toward Stratford.
- Board the train at Platform 6.
- Stay on for 2 minutes (2 stops).
Get off at London Bridge station.
Step 3: Transfer at London Bridge
- Exit the Jubilee line platform.
- Walk 3 minutes inside the station following signs for the Northern line.
Step 4: Take the Northern line
- Board the Northern line heading toward Edgware (via Bank).
- Ride for 8 minutes (4 stops).
Get off at Angel station.
Step 5: Walk to Sadler’s Wells
- Exit Angel station.
- Walk 9 minutes (0.3 miles).
- Head toward Rosebery Avenue.
You’ll arrive at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
How to get to Sadlers Wells – Directions from Angel station to Sadlers Wells (walking)
Walk towards White Lion St
236 ft
Slight left to stay on Islington High St/A1
141 ft
Turn left onto City Rd/A1/A501
36 ft
Cross the road
36 ft
Turn left onto St John St
0.1 mi
Turn right onto Rosebery Ave/A401
Nearby places for food/drink
There are a variety of restaurants and cafes to purchase lunch on the day. Please see a map of some of the nearby places below.
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