About Us

South Asian Arts-uk (SAA-uk) and the Future of Creativity

South Asian Arts-uk (SAA-uk) is a centre of excellence for Indian classical music and dance. Since our founding in 1997, we have been committed to celebrating, teaching, and evolving South Asian arts, creating meaningful experiences that enrich communities across Leeds and beyond. Our work nurtures creativity, fosters cultural pride, and ensures that audiences of all ages can engage with the depth and beauty of South Asian artistic traditions.

This mission aligns closely with Let's Create, Arts Council England's 10-year strategy for creativity and culture. By 2030, the vision is for England to be a country where everyone's creativity is valued, nurtured, and given the chance to flourish, and where all people have access to a wide range of high-quality cultural experiences. SAA-uk contributes to this vision by providing accessible, high-quality opportunities in music and dance, ensuring that South Asian arts are a vibrant part of the national cultural landscape.

SAA-uk also supports Leeds City Council's Four Ambitions – Healthy, Growing, Thriving, and Resilient. Through our programmes:

• We promote health and wellbeing by creating spaces where music and dance improve mental, emotional, and physical health.

• We support growth and professional development for artists, nurturing emerging talent and sustaining the creative sector.

• We help communities thrive by fostering participation, cultural exchange, and intergenerational learning.

• We build resilience by strengthening networks, encouraging collaboration, and making arts engagement sustainable and inclusive.
  
  By integrating our work with the city's ambitions and the national vision of Let's Create, SAA-uk ensures that South Asian arts continue to flourish, that communities have meaningful access to culture, and that creativity remains a driving force for connection, wellbeing, and opportunity.