Want to join our team?  We are looking for a new Marketing Manager.

We are a dynamic arts organisation with a 20 year track record, that develops, programmes and promotes international, contemporary and traditional South Asian music and arts. We are looking for a marketing manager with ideas and energy to be part of our team and help take forward our ambitious plans over the next three years.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated individual to work at a high level in a vibrant and diverse arts organisation working across England (and internationally).

We are looking for an imaginative and dynamic marketing professional to join us to:

• create and implement our ambitious strategy to upscale our marketing and PR
• build the Agency’s profile and recognition
• expand our audiences
• build the quality and scale of our online reach and engagement Continue reading We’re looking for a Marketing Manager →

Our Director, Jaswinder Singh, shared: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Zakir Hussain, the legendary master of the tabla. A true magician of rhythm, his ability to create mesmerising sounds not only captivated audiences worldwide but also inspired generations of artists. Here in Bristol, I had the honour of collaborating with him on multiple occasions. Our last collaboration, in November 2021, marked his final performance in the city. Despite his incredibly busy schedule, he graciously made time for this special concert.

I remember the warmth he brought backstage – sharing meals, laughing, and connecting with everyone around him. He was not only a musical genius but also an extraordinarily humble and kind soul.

Rest in peace, Zakir Hussain Ji. Your music and legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come. ”

Want to join the board at a dynamic, exciting and growing agency? We are seeking to appoint 2 new Trustees to play an active role in taking the Agency forward.

In particular we are seeking individuals with knowledge and expertise in the following areas:

•  South Asian music with a national/international perspective
•  PR and marketing, including digital
•  Fundraising including individual and corporate giving

The Agency is one of the leading Asian arts development agencies in England and has a first class reputation for its work across the UK and internationally. We develop traditional, international and contemporary South Asian music & arts and encourage engagement by all communities in Bristol, the South West and nationally.

We’re seeking imaginative individuals who can bring energy and commitment with a strong love of South Asian music and the arts and who enjoy working as part of a team with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you believe like us that South Asian music is an important part of the UK’s cultural identity and share our desire to increase understanding of South Asian music and culture and bring it to a wider audience, then we are very interested in hearing from you.

How To Apply

View the Board Recruitment Pack here to learn more about what we’re looking for and how to apply.

Please also make sure you complete the Equal Opportunities Form and send with your application.

Applications close Monday 27th January 2025.

Asian Arts Agency is delighted to present New Soundz Festival, a celebration of contemporary South Asian music, in collaboration with Arnolfini in Bristol. The event is set to unfold from 10th to 12th November 2023, promising an unforgettable auditory experience. 

Arnolfini, a long-standing supporter of South Asian arts and a leading arts venue in Bristol, will host this dynamic music festival. New Soundz aims to showcase the vivacity of contemporary South Asian music through live performances and immersive spaces. 

The festival starts on Friday, November 10th, with a captivating performance by beatboxer and sound artist, Jason Singh, in collaboration with tabla player Aref Durvesh, multi-instrumentalist Tamar Osborn, and keys player,  Al MacSween. This performance promises to explore a broad spectrum of soundscapes, drawing inspiration from Indian classical ragas, jazz, ambient, avant-garde hip hop, dub, and the natural world. Jason Singh’s ability to craft immersive soundscapes, drawing from nature’s diverse sounds, has earned him the moniker “the human sampler” by BBC Radio 6 Music. 

 On November 11th, New Soundz will present a new work titled ‘Mone Rekho’ (meaning ‘remember’ in Bengali) by Soumik Datta Arts. Performed by sarod player and composer Soumik Datta, this immersive concert layers ragas, voices, spatial audio, and memories to pay homage to the past, present, and future of Indian music. 

The festival will also feature the remarkable British sitar virtuoso, Roopa Panesar, who will unveil the latest ragas from her 2022 album, “Subha”. The album is a celebration of Morning Ragas, portraying contemplative melodies that gradually build from the gentle hues of dawn to the light of day. 

Jaswinder Singh, Director of Asian Arts Agency, expressed excitement about producing the inaugural edition of this contemporary and new music festival. The festival aims to introduce Bristol to contemporary South Asian artists and incorporate immersive sessions and workshops to truly engage audiences with the festival atmosphere. 

 Alongside the artist performances, attendees can look forward to captivating discussions with the performers and workshops. During these sessions, artists will provide insights into their journeys and shed light on the creative processes that shaped their recent masterpieces. 

 To get tickets for New Soundz, click on the link below. Tickets can be purchased for individual events as well as a festival pass that allows for access to all events.  

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/asian-arts-agency-presents-new-soundz-at-arnolfini-2645459 

For further enquiries, please contact Asian Arts Agency at hello@asianartsagency.co.uk 

Asian Arts Agency Statement In Memory of Mr. Shivranjan Singh MBE.

We are very saddened to hear of the death of Asian Arts Agency’s Board member and ex-Chairman Mr. Shivranjan Singh MBE who sadly passed away on Friday 30th September 2022. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Singh’s family and friends.

Mr Singh was an iconic figure in Bristol and a huge supporter of the arts and culture. He made an enormous contribution to equality and the arts in the City across a period spanning over five decades.

The Asian Arts Agency Director and Board members have shared their thoughts on Mr. Shivranjan Singh’s contributions to our work and the wider cultural sector.

Jaswinder Singh, Director, Asian Arts Agency said

‘Shivranjan Singh MBE, or ‘Shiv’ as we would call him with love and respect, leaves behind a massive legacy for Bristol City through his enormous contributions to RACE, equalities, diversity but above all the arts and culture scene in Bristol since the 1970s.  As the Chair of Asian Arts Agency and under his leadership with the support of all our Trustees, the Agency grew into a nationally and internationally significant organisation emerging from and based in Bristol. Personally, I learned a lot from him.  It would be fair to say he was one of the most influential figures in my career.  Shiv was a highly intelligent and visionary person who supported the Agency and its team in delivering some outstanding work in Bristol for the City’s local communities. His passing is a big loss to the City. However, he leaves behind a massive legacy for the thriving South Asian arts and music scene in Bristol and the UK.’

Tim Corum, Chair, Asian Arts Agency said

‘I first met Shiv when I came to Bristol in 2006 to work in the Museums and Galleries Department. I remember we talked about the history of the South Asian community in the city and how this should be represented in the museum. Shiv was gentle but insistent and effective, a great advocate both for Bristol and his community. 

When I became a board member at the Asian Arts Agency a few years later I got to know Shiv better as a colleague and friend. Shiv was passionate about supporting artists and sharing the music and dance that he loved with the wider community. He made an enormous contribution by developing the Asian Arts Agency which is now a thriving international arts organisation rooted in Bristol.’ 

Sandeep Marwah, Trustee and longest standing Board member of Asian Arts Agency said

‘Shivranjan Singh MBE, or Shiv to everyone who knew him, was instrumental in bringing Classic Indian Music and Dance to a wider audience in Bristol during the late 70’s and 80’s. 

He brought such artists as Hariprasad Chaurasia, Alla Rakha and Ravi Shankar as well as the world’s foremost exponents of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance to the Southwest.

He was a warm-hearted man with a ready smile and good sense of humour who made many friends throughout Bristol & beyond.

He will be missed.’

Lyn Porter, Trustee of Asian Arts Agency said

‘It was very sad to hear that Shiv has passed away. He had been a Trustee for many years for Asian Arts Agency and was instrumental in steering its course towards becoming the successful organisation it is today, we will miss his guiding hand.

For decades Shiv had been very active in the Bristol charitable and not for profit sectors. A strong voice that championed the voice of the BAME communities in Bristol, working with the statutory agencies  to raise issues that impacted on their lives.   A wise and knowledgeable man he will be missed.’

Abdul Ismail, Trustee of Asian Arts Agency said

‘Very sad to hear of Shiv passing away. We knew him since 1980s. Helped a lot in set up our shop after being expelled from Uganda. Always helpful and a very pleasant man. He made me a member of Asian Arts Association board and I learned a lot from him. Will miss him a lot too. ‘

For further enquiries, please contact Asian Arts Agency at info@asianartsagency.co.uk

We presented acclaimed sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan on a UK tour in June 2022.

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan was accompanied by Pandit Sanju Sahai on tabla.

The tour began in Birmingham (Midlands Arts Centre), proceeding on to London (Kings Place), Southampton (Turner Sims) and Bristol (St George’s Bristol).

Despite visa issues almost cancelling the tour, we are pleased the tour went ahead and was a success.

Selected Audience Comments

 “Sharing a magical evening with this wonderful sitar player, whose work I have only been able to listen to on CD – for many years – up until now. Thank you for bringing him to St. George’s, and please persuade him to come again.”

“Transported to another world. Magnificent. Thank you.”

“Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan’s sitar recital, with Sanju Sahai’s virtuoso accompaniment on tabla, was a very special event, and this was a rare opportunity to hear an artist of such calibre perform in the UK. It was a privilege to be there.”

“A truly sublime concert.”

“It was a fantastic experience and an honour to hear such incredible musicians play.”

Watch concert snippets on our social media here.