Arts Council England support Nutkhut’s National initiative of incorporating Mela into the wider Outdoor Arts sector.
The Arts Council has announced an investment to support Made in Mela: a national partnership to integrate Mela into the wider outdoor arts sector.
A programme of high quality work will reach family audiences through Melas in Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, London, Tunbridge Wells and Sandwell & Birmingham.
Joyce Wilson, London Area Director, Arts Council England, said:
“The Arts Council is dedicated supporting and promoting art forms which reflect the nation we serve. Nutkhut’s project is an important step towards recognising the south Asian celebration of Mela as a vital part in our collective culture. Hundreds of families and children across the country will be introduced to it in the best possible way.
Khairul Alam, Chair of Manchester Mega Mela said:
‘This unique opportunity recognizes the impact Mela has made on the cultural landscape of the UK. For almost 30 years, Mela has quietly existed on the fringes of the arts sector, but has remained an important and central moment in the lives of our communities – this initiative brings Mela in to the mainstream.”
Ajay Chhabra co-Artistic Director Nutkhut, said:
“Mela brings people together. Made in Mela is an exciting programme to support, develop and strengthen the outdoor arts sector, through artistic exchange, professional development and opportunities for all audiences to experience the best of diverse outdoor work nationally.”
The funding is part of the Arts Council’s Strategic Touring Programme, which aims to give people better access to quality work in a range of venues to reach more people across the country, targeting places with low levels of art engagement and those that rely on touring for arts and culture. It welcomes applications for a wide range of arts on tour including, in particular, mid-scale theatre, inbound international work, and more work by and for people from diverse backgrounds.
In this round of the fund, there are nine successful applicants from London with a total investment of £1,389,779.
Information about the programme and application deadlines for future rounds can be found here.