Akademi’s Dance Development department works to ensure the continued sustenance and growth of South Asian dance forms in the UK. As part of this process, we seek to nurture creativity, innovation and excellence in all aspects of South Asian dance.
Our work is developed through conversations with artists and includes: influencing the provision of professional training by other organisations; the direct offering and provision of workshops, intensives and seminars; and providing work and platform opportunities.
We aim to empower young artists to determine their own futures. Mentoring, placements and critical debates all contribute to the professional development of artists and future artistic leaders.
We support artists at all levels, from community amateurs to seasoned professionals. We work across all styles of South Asian dance, and with practitioners of traditional and contemporary forms.
Examples of professional development projects include:
- Daredevas, a collaboration with the South Bank Centre offering young artists the chance to perform at the Purcell Room following a mentoring programme with a respected artist
- Our symposiums and critical debate events explore the development of South Asian arts practice, performance and perception within the context of arts in Britain.
- Akademi masterclasses which offer artist development in areas such as managing tax, being self-employed and approaches to networking.
- One-to-one advice surgeries, administrative training and support, and group opportunities for sharing practice, knowledge and ideas.
- Work shadowing, mentoring and coaching.
