Business Details
Celebrating South Asian Arts & Culture in Southampton
Art Asia has been a leading force in promoting South Asian arts and culture across the UK for over four decades. Our organisation delivers engaging programmes including the annual Southampton Mela Festival, music and dance classes, and community workshops that celebrate both traditional and contemporary South Asian artistic expressions. We collaborate with local, national, and international artists to create performances and educational initiatives that reflect the universal appeal of South Asian arts. Our mission focuses on making these cultural experiences accessible to all while nurturing local talent and addressing holistic access challenges.With support from Arts Council England and Southampton City Council, we offer membership opportunities, volunteering roles, and sponsorship packages to sustain our work. Our dedicated team, including Chief Executive Dahlia Jamil and Arts and Education Development Officer Dr Pooja Angra, ensures our programming remains innovative and inclusive. We actively promote environmental sustainability through initiatives like our park-friendly Mela Festival. Our partnerships with institutions such as Arts University Bournemouth demonstrate our commitment to fostering creative collaborations that benefit both artists and audiences.
Services
Annual Mela Festival
South Asian Dance Classes
Cultural Workshops
Community Projects
School Programmes
Sponsorship Opportunities
Volunteer Programmes
Membership Scheme
Stall Bookings
Artist Collaborations
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience promoting South Asian arts and culture.
- Our annual Mela Festival attracts 30,000 visitors to Southampton.
- We offer inclusive music and dance classes for all ages and abilities.
- Our team includes experts in South Asian arts education and festival production.
- We collaborate with leading cultural institutions like Arts University Bournemouth.
Services
Annual Mela Festival
Southampton's largest free multicultural festival celebrating South Asian arts through music, dance, and food. Features three stages with international artists, family activities, and sustainable practices. Attracts 30,000 visitors annually while promoting cultural exchange and community cohesion.
South Asian Dance Classes
Weekly dance classes for adults and children exploring traditional and contemporary South Asian dance forms. Structured in three 10-week terms, these sessions provide accessible learning opportunities for all skill levels while preserving cultural heritage through movement.
Cultural Workshops
Interactive workshops delivered in schools and community settings introducing South Asian music, dance, and drama. Designed to meet educational requirements while fostering cultural appreciation through hands-on participation with professional teaching artists.
Community Projects
Commissioned initiatives like the Belonging Project exploring cultural identity through South Asian arts. Collaborative programmes with local authorities and artists that create platforms for underrepresented voices while addressing social cohesion through creative expression.
Artist Collaborations
Partnerships with Arts University Bournemouth and other institutions enhancing cultural programming through shared expertise. Recent collaborations have produced innovative visual identities for festivals while providing students with professional experience in large-scale event production.
People
Dahlia Jamil
Chief Executive
Leading Art Asia's strategic direction with extensive experience in cultural leadership and South Asian arts promotion. Oversees festival production, educational programmes, and community engagement initiatives across the Southern region.
Dr Pooja Angra
Arts and Education Development Officer
Specialising in arts education with a doctorate in South Asian cultural practices. Develops curriculum-linked workshops and community projects that bridge traditional arts with contemporary educational frameworks across Hampshire schools.
Matt Sanger
Mela Production
Managing festival logistics and stage production for the annual Mela event. Coordinates technical requirements for international artists while implementing sustainable practices across all production elements at Hoglands Park.
Donna Chant
Operations Manager
Overseeing day-to-day organisational operations including venue management, resource allocation, and stakeholder coordination. Ensures smooth delivery of year-round programming alongside festival-specific operational requirements.
Sabia Khandaker
Mela Admin
Handling festival administration and community engagement logistics. Coordinates volunteer programmes, stall applications, and sponsorship administration while maintaining community partnerships that support the Mela's growth.
Questions
What is the Southampton Mela Festival?
Southampton's largest free multicultural festival celebrating South Asian arts through music, dance, food, and family activities across three stages at Hoglands Park.
How can I participate in Art Asia's classes?
Weekly South Asian music and dance classes run in three 10-week terms for adults and children. Full details and booking information available on our website.
How does Art Asia support local artists?
We commission new works, provide performance platforms, and facilitate collaborations with national/international artists. Recent projects include the Holy Dirt dance production and AUB partnerships.
What educational programmes do you offer?
School workshops, curriculum-linked cultural projects, and community classes introducing South Asian arts. Delivered by professional teaching artists across Hampshire's educational institutions.
How is the organisation funded?
We receive core funding from Arts Council England and Southampton City Council, supplemented by memberships, sponsorships, and voluntary contributions from supporters.
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