Art Asia excluded from publicly-funded arts complex in Southampton
18 August 2010

Southampton-based arts organisation Art Asia has been excluded from taking up residency at a new flagship cultural complex in the town, despite investing 10 years in the creation of the building and committing £750,000 of its lottery funding to the project. Arts Council England recently confirmed that it had awarded £7.2m for the Southampton New Arts Complex - the four founding partners were Art Asia, The Nuffield, John Hansard Gallery and City-Eye but as of July 2010, Art Asia and The Nuffield are no longer mentioned in the plans.

For the past month Art Asia has been waiting for updated plans and confirmation of funding, which was announced in July. However, Arts Council England and Southampton City Council failed to confirm the role of Art Asia in the new complex - which the group had planned to make its new home when it opens in 2014.

Dahlia Jamil, Chairwoman of Art Asia, said: "After ten years of hard work alongside our arts partners, of course we're pleased the complex has been given the green light. But we are incredibly frustrated by the lack of information about our role and what will happen to the £3/4 million we invested in the new complex - believing this would be our new home. This was funding specifically allocated to culturally diverse organisations."

She added: "Arts Council England has acknowledged our frustration, but has said it cannot articulate what the tangible return will be for our investment. We've gone from being a founding partner - and anchor tenant - to having no mention of our name anywhere in the plans."

"For nearly thirty years Art Asia's performances and workshops have been enjoyed not just by the 12,000 Asians living in the community, but by countless thousands of other school children and adults. This month's Mela event was attended by a record 25,000 people who enjoyed the music, dance, shopping and food stalls." The organisation also counts Asian singer/songwriter Niraj Chag as one of its music proteges.

Both Southampton City Council and Arts Council England have been contacted by Art Asia for an explanation on their exclusion as an anchor tenant. Both have responded, but neither has given a clear explanation of the future role of the organisation, or what it will get from its investment. A recent petition launched by Art Asia to show the region's commitment to this culturally diverse group has already gained over 2,000 signatures to date.

To show your support and sign the petition, click here

About Southampton's New Arts Complex

Southampton's New Arts Complex will be a spectacular new cultural attraction for the region. It will provide world-class art exhibitions; two brand new theatres for music, dance, comedy and drama; a full range of South Asian arts; plus outstanding resources for film-makers. The arts complex will play an integral part in Southampton's new cultural quarter alongside the redevelopment of Guildhall Square.

About Art Asia

Art Asia's mission is to communicate the rich and exciting experience of South Asian Arts to the widest possible audience. Our work aspires to be entertaining, surprising and to celebrate the belief that the Arts of South Asia are universal in their appeal.

Art Asia aims to develop the traditional, contemporary and experimental practice of artists in the UK and abroad by commissioning and showcasing the best, the unexpected and the unknown. They plan to create the spaces in which established and emerging artists may test themselves and their art and pursue new ideas and new partnerships. They aim to create a supportive environment for participants in which transformational experiences and exciting inter-cultural exchanges can take place.

To show your support and sign the petition, click here
For further information about Art Asia visit www.artasia.org.uk