Art Asia launches fight to retain place in Southampton’s flagship new arts complex

Art Asia, which organises the annual Mela event, as well as a rolling programme of cultural performances from world-class Asian artists, has been working in partnership with Southampton City Council and the Arts Council England to plan and create the Southampton New Arts Complex, set to be completed in 2014.

Although founding partner Art Asia has invested £3/4 million - all of its lottery funding - in the project, it has recently learnt that both the city council and the Arts Council plan to sideline it and it will no longer be an anchor tenant. However, neither the city council, nor the Arts Council England, have explained why plans have suddenly been changed.

Art Asia’s Chairwoman, Dahlia Jamil, said today: “Everyone at Art Asia is completely shocked by the news.  For the last decade Art Asia has invested a huge amount of time and resource into this project, as well as £3/4million of lottery funding which was specifically allocated for culturally diverse organisations. We were the only culturally diverse organisation to have a presence in the new complex, so to learn the council and Arts Council England are planning to sideline us is devastating news.  The revised plans have serious implications for Art Asia and the diverse communities we serve.

”There may still be a chance that we can persuade the council and Arts Council England to change their minds, but we need to move quickly and show the support we have from the city. We urge everyone to visit the Art Asia website to sign our online petition and help us keep our rightful place in the Southampton New Arts Complex.”

For the past decade Art Asia has worked with its Arts Partners and funders to make the shared vision for the arts in Southampton a reality – a vision that had the provision of outstanding facilities for the creation and performance of South Asian arts at its heart.

 Vinod Desai, Chief Executive of Art Asia, continued: “Art Asia performances are enjoyed not just by the 12,000 strong Asian community living in the area, but by thousands of others.  Over the last 10 years Art Asia has put on 94 events enjoyed by thousands and also introduced over 25,000 young people to South Asian arts. The Mela itself is enjoyed by over 20,000 people every year.”

Neither the Arts Council nor Southampton City Council have yet provided a detailed explanation to Art Asia on why they have changed the plans.

http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/art-asia-petition/207