South Asian-Led Outdoor Arts on Climate & Environment
Inspirate and Art Reach are excited to be working together to offer this co-commission.
We are seeking proposals for a new outdoor arts project exploring environmental and climate issues, led by South Asian artists or companies.
This opportunity offers up to £10,000 to support a Research & Development process, with sharings at the following Leicester based festivals during 2026.
An Indian Summer Festival
1st - 5th July 2026
Inspirate’s flagship festival, An Indian Summer Festival, brings a bold and unique programme of contemporary South Asian arts and culture to Leicester every year, platforming the diversity and creativity of South Asian artists from across the UK.
Journeys Festival explores migration and community, uncovering new perspectives, and celebrates the rich diversity that makes our city, and our world, a more connected place.
Beyond 2026, further funding will be provided to complete the creation process and share the work through both festivals as part of the 2027 programme.
The Opportunity
This co-commission supports South Asian artists to develop bold, environmentally conscious outdoor work. Proposals can be from a range of different artforms including theatre, dance, installation, music, visual arts, and multidisciplinary practice.
We encourage proposals exploring, but not limited to, the following themes:
Climate justice and environmental change – examining human impact on the planet, sustainability, and global environmental inequalities.
Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience – highlighting species, habitats, and the natural environment under threat.
Community and cultural responses to climate issues – how communities experience, adapt to, or resist environmental challenges.
Intergenerational dialogue and future imaginaries – exploring the legacy of climate change for future generations.
Connection to place and identity – how landscapes, cities, and cultural heritage intersect with environmental concerns.
Innovation in audience engagement – immersive, participatory, or interactive approaches that inspire reflection and action.
Work should consider sustainable production and ethical practice including low-carbon, eco-conscious artistic methods, materials, and presentation.
£10,000 total commission fee, which will support the following:
A Research and Development process - including artist fees, materials, hire of space, all producing, production and festival sharing costs.
Sharings at An Indian Summer Festival and Journeys Festival.
Additionally the selected artist/company will receive mentoring, advice and creative support from Inspirate and Art Reach, and the festival production/tech teams for each festival will also support the sharing of work at both An Indian Summer and Journeys Festival.
South Asian-led artists or companies
We welcome proposals from South Asian artists/companies across the UK. This includes artists whose heritage is from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan.
Strong artistic vision addressing climate or environmental themes.
Work designed for outdoor and public spaces.
Commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious creative practice.
Application Process
To apply, please complete the application form, which includes the following sections:
Details:
Artist/Company:
Lead contact name for this proposal, and preferred pronouns (e.g. he/him, she/her, they/them)
Address
Phone Number
Email
Access Requirements for lead contact
Region you are based in (London, Midlands, North, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)
Project Name - (this can be a working title)
Concept & Idea – Describe the work you want to create, its form, and intended audience - up to 300 words
Environmental & Climate Relevance – Explain why this project is important within the context of climate change and/or environmental issues - up to 200 words
Artistic Approach – Outline your creative approach and process, how you plan to research and develop this work - up to 200 words
Community Engagement - while this is not a compulsory part of this project, if engagement and/or socially engaged practice is part of your process, describe how you would integrate this into your project - up to 200 words
Outdoor Arts – Include how the work will be developed specifically for outdoor/public spaces - up to 200 words
Supporting Materials – Applicants can submit links to previous work, images, concept sketches, or videos.
Budget outline:
Provide a proposed budget, outlining how you will allocate the funds to support your R&D and sharing process, including artist/creative team fees, resources/materials, travel, transportation, accommodation, rehearsal space/studio hire etc.
Please mention any match funding or in kind support you’ve secured, although this is not a formal requirement for this application.
Video submissions are welcomed as an alternative to written proposals, videos must be no longer than 5 mins long.
Timeline:
Deadline for written submissions - Sunday 29th March.
Applications will be reviewed by representatives from Art Reach and Inspirate - w/k beginning 30th March
Shortlisted applicants may be invited for a conversation to discuss their ideas further - w/k beginning 20th April
Selected candidate will be informed by 30th April 2026
Research and Development Process - between May-June 2026
Sharing at An Indian Summer Festival - 3rd -5th July 2026
Continue the Research & Development process - between July-October 2026
Sharing at Journeys Festival - 17th - 25th October 2026
If you have any have queries, questions or need to talk through access needs to complete your application, please contact shiven@inspirate.org .
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