In a world where understanding different cultures is so important to our society, we believe that Art has the power to bring people together and inspire change, and that every young person should be able to access that special power.  

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Our purpose is to enable the creation of diverse art that is collaborative, meaningful and sustainable.

 

And we use our specialism in South Asian arts and culture to drive cross-cultural collaboration between organisations, artists and audiences.

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Founded in 1994, Surtal Arts is one of the East Midlands' most established South Asian arts organisations. Based in Derby, we have spent over 30 years championing Indian dance and music, supporting emerging artists, and creating large-scale cultural events that bring communities together.

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As a registered charity, everything we do is rooted in a belief that arts should be accessible to everyone — regardless of background, age, or ability. We work in schools, community spaces, health settings and care homes, as well as producing major public events such as the Derby Season of Light and Derby Lantern Parade.

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Our work reaches thousands of people each year across Derby, Derbyshire, and the wider East Midlands. We are proud to be regularly commissioned by arts funders, local authorities, and cultural organisations who share our commitment to high-quality, inclusive creative work.