Annual ReviewApril 2003–March 2004

Art Asia Trust Ltd

18 Augustine Road

Southampton

SO14 0PL

Tel: 023 8022 6212 023 8022 0561

Fax: 023 8022 0491

Email: admin@artasia.org.uk

Website: www.artasia.org.uk

Registered Charity No 1070019

Limited Company registered in England No 2964315

Our activities include

• Concerts, dance and drama performances by local, national and international artists

• Education service offering workshops, demonstrations, tutoring and performances

• Music and dance classes, visual arts workshops

• Well-equipped, sound-proof music studio available for rehearsal or recording

• Free information and advice service

Mission Statement

To promote and develop high quality performance of South Asian arts, music and dance, enhanced by educational activities to provide a rich and satisfying experience for all.

This year’s annual report

records another year of

considerable achievement and

development for Art Asia. A

staggering 17,185 people were

involved in the various activities,

ranging from concerts, educational activities and

community outreach programs over the last

financial year (March 2003–April 2004).

As a unique and vibrant Arts organisation in

Southern England, it broke new grounds last year

by introducing the Mela to Southampton. More

than 8,000 people listened to the wonderful and

diverse music from South Asia, participated in the

various dance and music workshops, feasted on the

superb food and thoroughly enjoyed themselves

at the various stalls. The Mela was very successful

attracting people from all faiths, cultures and ages.

As part of its aims, Art Asia has tried to capture the

imagination of a diverse audience by including not

only classical concerts with international acclaimed

performers like Ustad Zakir Hussain and Shiv Kumar

Sharma but also introducing fusion music with

performances such as Delhi To Dhaka by the Grand

Union Orchestra and music from Rhythmscape.

Of course Bollywood Nights Concert was still as

popular as ever. The comedy play Yeh Hai Mumbai

Meri Jaan performed to full a house and brought the

essence of Asian drama to our audience.

Our Education activities increased tremendously

with work being carried out in various new

schools and colleges. More than 3,326 children and

adults participated in music and dance workshops

throughout last year.

Our outreach programmes included work with

English Heritage, Haslar Immigration Centre and

other local organisations. These ranged from

drumming demonstrations at Southampton

International Airport to a Sitar performance at the

annual Mayor making ceremony in Southampton.

As part of the Capital Project, our aspirations

to move into the new Cultural Quarter of

Southampton progressed. Along with other Arts

Partners, a vision for the new premises had been

agreed and detailed floor plans were discussed.

All this exciting work illustrates the very distinctive

contribution that everyone who is part of Art Asia

– staff, volunteers, students, tutors and directors,

play in the existence of the organisation and

without whom the work would not be so wide-

ranging or challenging. My special thanks go to the

staff of Art Asia for their enthusiasm, dedication

and commitment which is reflected in the exciting

programmes; to the many volunteers and part time

tutors who put in so much time and effort for

all sorts of activities; my colleagues on the Board

for their time, expertise and lively debates which

ensure that Art Asia is moving in the right direction

in a professional manner.

Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to

thank our many partners and sponsors, particularly

our two main supporters, the Arts Council of

England and Southampton City Council for their

continued funding and valuable advice in helping us

to transform our vision of making Art Asia a robust

and dynamic organisation for the future.

Dahlia Jamil

Chair, Art Asia

Introduction by the Chair

Music • [PIC 3] Shiv Kumar Sharma and Zakir

Hussain, an evening of Classical Indian music played by maestros of the Santoor and Tabla. They are considered to be a pair of the world’s finest musicians.

• Bollywood Nites, an evening of exciting live music performed by Orchestra Polytunes with wonderful Bollywood and Bhangra dancing choreographed by Rakhi Sood at the Nuffield Theatre.

• [PIC 4] From Delhi to Dhaka 60 minutes of music from around the world performed by the Grand Union Orchestra.

• SauRang Orchestra at the Turner Sims Concert Hall

• Rhythmscape Fusion concert

• Women’s only Bollywood Night in partnership with WEA

• Variety Concert presented with the Sri Lankan Cultural Society

Drama & Comedy • [PIC 5] Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan

(The Bombay of My Dreams) in partnership with the Nuffield Theatre.

A Bollywood ‘Masala’ film brought to life on the stage. A show laced with scintillating dance, foot-tapping music and larger than life characters.

review of activitiesOver the past year we have promoted 12 high quality concerts and events attracting a total audience of 2,572. We supplied artists for 12 outreach projects for community organisations reaching a further 3,000 people. The first Southampton Mela Festival was enjoyed by all 8,000 people attending. These events took place across the whole of the Southern Region, including venues in Southampton, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Education and Outreach: Introductory workshops in music, dance and henna were organised in response to bookings from schools as part of their arts and performance curriculum. In 2003/04 we worked with 3,326 participants aged 5 to 18 from 30 schools in and around the Southern Region.

This year saw a large expansion of Art Asia’s educational work through activities and now we work with more artists in many different art forms over a larger area. We have also introduced a new type of workshop, in the form of a lecture demonstration for older students. Art Asia has also provided artists for INSET days for teachers in association with the Solent Music Project and participated in two conferences for schools.

[PIC 6]A group of 30 sixth formers enjoyed a musical performance and lecture at Itchen College in September 2003.

[PIC 7]Art Asia in partnership with the Solent Music Project held an INSET conference for 10 teachers in October 2003.

OutreachMusicians and dancers were supplied to 12 outreach workshops, community and other events including ‘A Feast of Indian Culture’ for English Heritage at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight.

Southampton Mela Festival2003 saw the first Art Asia Mela Festival come to Hoglands Park in Southampton with more than 8,000 people attending. It was an action packed day with plenty of entertainment including Bollywood and Bhangra dancing, Asian Fusion and Indian Classical music. There were also lots of stalls from the community with activities including face painting, henna, art & crafts, ethnic clothing and accessories.[PIC 9]

Art Asia Activities Centre:• [PIC 10] Bharata Natyam Dance half term

workshops in October 2003 and February 2004.Bharata Natyam dancer Rukmini enjoying a half term workshop.

• Kathak & Folk dancing with Pravika Nandkishore

228 studio and rehearsal space bookings

72 participants in weekly music & dance classes

review of activities

Accounts

PartnershipsTurner Sims Concert Hall – regular concerts

Nuffield Theatre – varied programme of events

Solent Music Project – Joint promotion and implementation in partnership with Southampton Music Services, Portsmouth Music Service and Isle of Wight Music Services

Workers Education Association – joint promotion of the Women’s only Bollywood night at Newtown Youth Centre

Arts Marketing Hampshire – monitoring and evaluating events, marketing advice

Looking AheadThroughout 2004 and beyond, we will build on our considerable programming and organisational development achievements from this year and continue to develop a strong Regional profile and a National reputation

The Capital Lottery Project – Art Asia is planning to move into purpose-designed new premises in Southampton City Centre as part of a mixed development including the John Hansard Gallery, City Eye and a performing arts group, to be located in an Arts and Cultural Quarter at the old Tyrell and Green building next to the Civic Centre. A detailed bid has gone to the Arts Council England to secure the Lottery Funding of £750,000 earmarked for Art Asia. We have produced outline plans for the new premises, and we have consulted widely with our members, tutors, students and audiences to help us create the best facilities we can for our users. The plans include a purpose built recording studio, a dance studio and multi purpose hall in addition to offices and a library.

Total Expenditure in 2001/2 £132,321 Total Income in 2001/2 £136,454

Direct charitable expenditure 85%

Management &Administration 8%

Marketing & publicity 7% Fundraising 4%

Earned Income 24%

Grants 72%

Dahlia Jamil MA, MSc Chair Extensive experience in Community and Adult Education, currently works for Workers Educational Association (WEA) in Southampton. Former consultant to UNICEF on gender issues in Bangladesh.

Geeta Uppal BA(Hons), MPhil Cantab)Vice chairWidening Participation Officer at Southampton Institute. Her role is to encourage under represented groups into higher education. This is carried out by working closely with schools, further education colleges and community groups.

Arvind Pandit FCA, MBA TreasurerChartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in business, most recently as Finance & Operations Director for a publisher and distributor.

Dr Brihad AbhyankarMedical advisor for a pharmaceutical company. MBA qualified and experienced in strategic management issues. Keen interest in Indian classical and film music as well as promoting artistic events.

Jaya GunatillakaChartered engineer for an international company. Formed the Hampshire Sri Lankan Cultural Society in 1997 and chaired it for two years. Enthusiasm for the promotion of culture.

Arzoo Iqbal MA Political ScienceSpecial Needs Assistant for schools, basic skills and ESOL lecturer at Southampton City College. Executive member of Al- Nissa (Muslim women’s group), member of Urdu Women’s Group.

Peter KnightOver twenty years experience of working in Information Technology and Logistics. Broad spectrum of experience in the voluntary sector, both on the committee of the Southampton Federation of Resident’s Association and in the Scouting movement.

Parita Patel Manager of her own business. Director of K.K Banqueting Services Ltd. Has extensive project management experience and strategic planning skills.

Meena Vashisht Works for Finance Directorate in Southampton City Council. A qualified Health and Safety Technician and member of IOSH (institute of safety and health).

Namrata Panchmatia (Associate Director)Secretary of the local Lochana Association for several years. Volunteer for the Southampton Vedic Temple. Enthusiasm for education and the promotion of culture.

Other directors that held office during the year were:Raj Kumar Chadda

Bhadur Singh

Harjap Singh

Education – Tutors & Artists

Rahi Bains (music)

Francis Silkstone (sitar)

Surjit Singh Hasanpuri (tabla)

Vidya Thirunarayan (Bharata Natyam dance)

Sushma Toprani (folk dance)

Pravka Nandkishore (Kathak and folk dancing)

Mayuri Boonham (Bharata Natyam dance)

RN Prakash (percussion)

Anusha Subramanium (Bharata Natyam dance)

Iqbal Khan Pathan (Asian drums) Mehboob Nadeem (sitar)

Hanif Khan (tabla)

Clem Alford (sitar)

Jaswinder Dosanj (mehendi henna)

Ranbir Kaur (visual arts)

Mela 2003 – Thanks to:

Regional Arts Lottery Programme

BBC TV, Radio Solent and Roots Project

Hampshire Constabulary

Southampton Voluntary Services

Social Cohesion

Southampton Football Club

Sure Start

Kuti’s Brasserie

Cobra

Rams Stores

Thanks to Bob Anthony and Ann Wardle for giving their time and expertise

Thanks to all our volunteers for their time and support

Board of Directors as of November 2003:

Staff:

Chief Executive Vinod Desai

Operations Manager Helen Keall BA(Hons)

Arts Administrator Jeannine Barron BA(Hons)

Education Development Manager Eleanor Kingdon BA(Hons) Dunelm, MA

Marketing Officer Arti Sonchhatla BA(Hons)

A large print version of this Review is available from Art Asia

Art Asia is supported by: