South Asian Dance and Music Mapping Report

Tender description

Arts Council England is seeking to appoint an experienced research supplier to undertake a mapping exercise within the South Asian dance and music sectors in England. The research will draw on previous insight in combination with further consultation within the sector to help identify gaps, highlight opportunities and make clear, actionable recommendations to the Arts Council and wider sector. Our definition of South Asian dance and music includes artistic forms which originated from the Indian subcontinent – including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – and varies between classical and non-classical forms. This research aims to produce a clear and detailed picture of the current breadth of practice within the South Asian music and dance ecology in the UK. This will help provide evidence to inform how the Arts Council can best respond to recommendations and achieve more strategic impact within the South Asian dance and music sector. The research will also be used to strengthen the dialogue between the Arts Council and the sector. The key objectives of this research are: • To map existing South Asian dance and music activity not currently regularly funded by the Arts Council including classical, folk and popular forms. • To better understand the provision of, distribution and new opportunities within the professional and community context. • To better understand the strengths and vulnerabilities within the sector including where activity is taking place, who is undertaking it and the intended audience. • To better understand gaps that exist within the sector and how the Arts Council can support the sections of the South Asian sector it is not currently reaching.