Breaking Barriers with Asian Arts Agency
Asian Arts Agency are a company who develop, promote and support South Asian Arts, based in Bristol with a reach that spans the UK, and across international borders. They are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, and have recently been successful in a National Lottery Project Grants bid for Breaking Barriers, a one year talent development project focussed on supporting South Asian Musicians.
Jaswinder Singh and the team at Asian Arts Agency recognise the difficulties facing freelancers and individuals, particularly those from Asian backgrounds who have disproportionately suffered from the negative impact of Covid-19 on their work, careers and livelihoods. They made a strong case for £100,000 of National Lottery investment towards a project that aims to address some of these challenges.
A project that will support freelancers and individuals, especially those who have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
The funding will help create new music commissions, digital performance opportunities and provide training and development support, helping to equip emerging talent to prosper as professional artists and musicians. Breaking Barriers will be delivered in partnership with leading arts venues and specialist music industry organisations, including Arnolfini, British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Bristol Beacon and Real World Studios in Bath.
In the last few years Asian Arts Agency have captivated participants and audiences in the hundreds of thousands, delivered over five hundred events, and have worked with nearly two hundred organisations and partners – from festivals, events and tours to digital exhibitions, artist development and participation activities.
Phil Gibby, South West Area Director, Arts Council, said:
“We are delighted to confirm support for Asian Arts Agency through our National Lottery Project Grants programme, towards Breaking Barriers. A project that will support freelancers and individuals, especially those who have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 crisis. It is fantastic to see an organisation put artists and musicians at the front and centre of their work, as we start to ease out of the pandemic and look towards the new normal. They have secured some brilliant local and national partnerships, and it will be great to see the talent emerge and build new career prospects over the coming year.”
Jaswinder Singh, Director, Asian Arts Agency, said:
“We are really delighted to receive this grant and thank you to the Arts Council England for their support. The pandemic has been really challenging for us and the sector with loss of income and opportunities for artists. Through this project, we are looking forward to creating new opportunities for artists and freelancers through new music commissions, digital performances and training and development opportunities. Over the next few months we will be closely monitoring the situation, to create balance between online and live performances for our artists and audiences.”
Find out more about their work here.
