Asian Virsa

Asian Virsa is a new independent initiative hosted by QED-UK. It has full community support and was set up after an extensive consultation with south Asian communities. It compliments the work of other organisations.

Asian Virsa was established in July 2005 to promote and develop South Asian art, culture and heritage issues in the UK, with a particular focus on Yorkshire, home to one of the largest British South Asian communities.

The overall objectives of AV are to:

• Develop activities, in partnership with relevant agencies wherever possible, to promote South Asian art, culture and heritage amongst South Asian communities targeting all age groups.
  
  
• Educate the relevant mainstream agencies about South Asian communities in the UK, particularly in relation to appreciating their art, culture and heritage.
  
  
• Support the efforts of any organisation that wishes to develop projects relating to Asian art, culture and heritage.
  
  
• Research and develop relationships and links between UK and South Asian communities' art, culture and heritage.
  
  

In the first year, Asian Virsa will focus its activities in the Yorkshire region, where 9% of the population are of Asian origin.

For further details contact Dr Harjap S Pooni, Development Manager, on 01274 483267
or email h.pooni@qed-uk.org.