Mishra, Sampadananda

SAMPAD was established in Birmingham in 1990, under the director Piali Ray. The aim was to support and encourage South Asian arts in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The organisation has since become a major arts development agency, with an influence that goes beyond the local region.

Their areas of interest include film, theatre, music, dance, crafts, literature, story-telling, and the visual arts. The agency works with professional artists to produce performances, festivals and exhibitions. There is an emphasis on education, and Sampad works with youth organisations and schools, as well as community groups. Events range from conferences on subjects from the visual arts to dance, to ante-natal music and movement sessions.

As well as publicity material, Sampad produces booklets and education resource packs about South Asian arts. They have also released videos, DVDs, CDs, and cassettes.

From the guide to the Sampad Collection, 1990-2004, (Special Collections, Brunel University Library)