Soumik Datta Arts (SDA) is a registered charity championing wellbeing, equity, and opportunity in the arts.
With a particular focus on South Asian and migrant communities we deliver transformative music and art projects that aim to unite, uplift and inspire a better informed and more empathetic society.
The roots of the charity stem from Soumik Datta’s personal journey in which he used music to overcome his mental health struggles and combat the racism he experienced since childhood.
Despite some progress being made more needs to be done to ensure fair representation in the arts. Although 18% of England's population is from Black, Asian, and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds, they make up only 14% of the arts workforce (ACE Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion report 2020-21).
SDA believes that music and the arts are pivotal in bridging societal gaps. We celebrate the arts as a tool for strengthening cultural identity and pride, improving wellbeing, and offering opportunities for people to develop themselves personally and professionally.
We give a voice to talented musicians and artists who are marginalised in society. This includes featuring young and emerging artists in our music productions. We also provide an annual residential opportunity for the next generation of talent through our artist development programme, the Green Room. This is providing a unique opportunity for international refugee, migrant and displaced artists from across South West England.
Our annual music productions incorporate and reimagine Indian classical music, while exploring different themes that seek to raise awareness and inspire action around the global issues of today. Past projects have seen us collaborating with universities and charities supporting refugees, mental health, and environmental responsibility.
Last year we directly worked with 25 refugee and migrant artists and creatives. Touring to venues across the UK, our productions reached live audiences of over 1,500 people, and over 750,000 through broadcasts and online activities. We are proud of the track record we have had in creating high quality music productions that give marginalised people a voice.
By reimagining Indian Classical music and exploring the issues of today, we are continuing to grow and diversify audiences, opening more people up to different cultures and experiences.
This year we are seeking to raise £50,000 in further funding to fully realise the ambitions of our programme. Your support could help us to create meaningful high-impact projects, and develop the next generation of talent.
Please donate today if you are able to. A gift no matter how large or small will make a great difference to our work. A regular gift would have an even greater impact, giving us the confidence to plan our projects better and help sustain our work for the long-term.
Alternatively, if you are a charitable trust or company we would be delighted to talk to you about how you could help to achieve our goals. Please do not hesitate to get in touch through contact@soumikdatta.com