Akademi

Since 1979, Akademi has been taking South Asian dance into unconventional spaces in the UK, re-defining the parameters of the artform itself. Having celebrated our thirtieth anniversary, our passion for encouraging excellence in the practice of South Asian dance in Britain burns as bright as ever. As a dynamic, future-facing organisation, our priorities for action change in response to developments in dance and in the society in which we live. We are a local organisation with a global perspective and worldwide connections. Our pioneering work contributes significantly to Britain's international reputation for innovation in South Asian dance. We actively push the boundaries of where dance can appear by producing performances for unusual places. Our productions embrace and are inspired by extraordinary architecture and public spaces. With a particular focus on participating in the London Olympics in 2012 and beyond, we want as many people as possible to be excited and intrigued by dance that is rooted in classical tradition, yet is at the cutting edge of contemporary British culture. We work with young people in schools and communities of all ages and abilities across London, inspiring their creativity, encouraging their academic achievement and widening their aspirations. We support young artists to realise their potential and develop as professional performers and cultural leaders through debate, experiment, training and work experience. We treasure the heritage of South Asian dance, the wisdom of experienced artists and provide a powerhouse of knowledge and expertise that we are keen to share widely.