Press Release: Renamed ‘Bradford Arts Centre’ announces the reopening date

Renamed ‘Bradford Arts Centre’ announces the reopening date of its transformed listed building in the heart of Bradford City Centre and its opening artistic programme

Bradford Arts Centre, formerly known as Kala Sangam, is relaunching this October with its new name, building and brand after significant, in-depth consultation with local communities, artists and partners. Renamed to represent the city and be open to all, Bradford Arts Centre offers a welcoming creative home for performance, artistic development, meetings, education and community workshops spotlighting the city’s brilliant culture and heritage. The opening programme includes premieres from Jaivant Patel Company, Mobius Dance, and Natalie Davies. This flagship £7.9million capital redevelopment project, opening during Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture 2025, is supported by DCMS through the Arts Council England administered Cultural Development Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation and Bradford Council.

Ifty (Mohammed Iftikar), Facilities Manager, said: “It has been a dream and a vision for many years to see our theatre space on the ground level. I love my colleagues, I love the atmosphere, I love the vibe. I love coming to work every morning with a smile on my face. My city makes me proud – I’m a born and bred Bradford lad. We have one of the oldest Grade II listed buildings, and I feel privileged to be managing such a building in the heart of Bradford.”

Bradford Arts Centre is the new name for Kala Sangam, founded in 1993 and resident in the former General Post Office since 2008. Following its multi-million pound redevelopment, Bradford Arts Centre returns to its newly restored Grade II listed home this October, with its new name and a significantly enhanced offer to artists, communities and partners.

This newly modernised building will offer state-of-the-art facilities, including a 170-seat theatre, five purpose-built rehearsal studios, four meeting rooms, a conference venue, office space for creative businesses, and a home for BCB Radio. Bradford Arts Centre’s unique model of providing artist support will now have increased capacity and more flexible spaces to accommodate the multi-media and diverse art forms that many contemporary artists are employing. It is the only centre in the North of England offering this level of studio space alongside tailored, one-to-one support for artists.

Inside the restored building, there is a new and informal space to meet and relax, the ‘Sangam Lounge’, which honours the legacy and history of the centre as Kala Sangam. Three new commissioned artworks by Bradford-based artists have been installed in the new building. Razwan Ul-Haq worked with the staff team to develop a new piece of calligraphy, ‘Bradford Symphony No 8’, using tinctures made from the bricks of the building itself. Turbynes (Rosie Freeman and Marf Keane) have created a new soundscape incorporating materials from Bradford Arts Centre’s 30-year archive, reflecting on the history and life of the building, and Eve Wright, a final-year student from Bradford College, has created a sculpture. A series of artworks created as part of the Arts and Heritage Community Project with members of the u3a and Womenzone community groups will be displayed throughout the building.

Marie O’Reilly, Interim Chair, Bradford Arts Centre Board, said: “We want Bradford Arts Centre to be a place where everything is possible and everyone is welcome to come in – whether it is to join a Bollywood dance class, meet up, explore the building or devise your next performance artwork.”

At the heart of everything they do, the team at Bradford Arts Centre works to deliver a warm welcome, respect, and a commitment to authentic connection. This is practised and evident throughout performance seasons, artist development, dance classes, education and community programmes. The continuous strands that underpin the performance programming and artists’ support reflect three themes: ‘This is Bradford’, placing the city and its people at the core, ‘South Asia Now’, which spotlights new British South Asian artists, and ‘British Diversity’, exploring what it means to live in contemporary Britain.

Amer Sarai, Head of Community Engagement, Bradford Arts Centre, said: “Through our schools and community programmes, we have been building strong relationships so that when we open, people feel they can just pop in and join in with activities, see a show or hang out. Our core philosophy is centred around trying to say ‘yes’ to people as much as we can.”

Bradford Arts Centre delivers the ‘Kala Sangam commission’. A £10k biannual commission, supporting the development of new work using Classical Indian dance, music or theatre artforms, it was launched to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary. The first round of the ‘Kala Sangam commission’ was awarded to Akshay Sharma and Meera Patel. The next commissioning round is in early 2026.

Ella Tighe, Artist Advisory Group for Bradford Arts Centre, said: “Bradford Arts Centre have been pivotal in the development of my career as a choreographer. Thanks to Bradford Arts Centre, my first full-length show will tour nationally. The team believes in the work of artists, and they offer support when other organisations/funders may need more proof of concept. Artists need time and space to allow an idea to grow and evolve and to pursue their work, and this is what Bradford Arts Centre gave me.”

The Autumn programme includes 17 events, 6 premieres, 4 building takeovers, 5 City of Culture support programmes and 12 Bradford Arts Centre development-supported shows.

Spotlighting a broad range of work and events spanning all the programming strands, the season commences with the world premiere of ‘ASTITVA’ from Jaivant Patel Company (JPCo), a Partner Company that Bradford Arts Centre has supported since 2016. Acting solely as choreographer for the first time, this new dance work explores Jaivant Patel’s experiences growing up as a queer Indian man. ‘ASTITVA’ is told in four episodes: ‘Seeking, Desire, Acceptance, and Love’, exploring universal emotions and navigating sexuality under the weight of cultural expectations.

Jaivant Patel said: “It is truly incredible to be the first company to perform on Bradford Arts Centre’s new stage and in its reopening season with ‘ASTITVA’, especially as it has been such a long-term supporter of our work. Bradford Arts Centre is a key player both in the regional and national landscape that allows trust and faith in the artistic vision of South Asian voices who have something to say about diverse voices sitting at the intersectionality of lived experiences in contemporary UK society.”

In the opening weekend, new Associate Company Bradford South Asian Festival hosts a full building takeover with workshops and activities celebrating South Asian culture, including the popular ‘Little Foodies’ sessions, an exploration of wedding traditions and the return of Disco Dewanney. Supported by Bradford Arts Centre over four years, Deborah Pakkar Hull, Emma Adams and Old Bird Productions present a new theatre show ‘Otherhood’, exploring what it means to be child free, either by choice or circumstance. Associate Company Mobius Dance will perform its contemporary dance premiere, ‘The Long Summer Day’, a celebration of queer joy and experience with poetry from Andrew McMillan.

Gianluca Vincentini, Artistic Director and CEO, Mobius Dance, said: “Bradford Arts Centre has been instrumental in our growth, providing vital studio and office spaces, mentorship, and hosting our world premieres. Through their backing, we’ve achieved international recognition, taking our innovative work beyond borders and establishing ourselves as a cross-European company.”

BRAVE festival is a two-day celebration of dance and multi-art form events with Black roots. It includes workshops and performances in African Drumming, the Lindy Hop, Breakin’ and Mask making, and is a Bradford City of Culture 2025 commission. A celebration of Bradford’s clubbing scene is explored in ‘Bring It Back’ by Bradford-based writer and actor Natalie Davies (‘Full English’), also a Bradford City of Culture 2025 commission. Using spaces throughout the new building for this theatre show, audiences will be immersed into the story. In a new Kala Sangam Commission, Akshay Sharma presents the premiere of his new choreography work ‘What Did The Fire Burn?’. This contemporary dance work shares a story and theme of queerness and home with strong Indian Classical dance influences and Carnatic vocals.

Further shows include ‘Voices’ from Zoe Katsilerou’s MOV, with the Roma community exploring the power of collective vocals and movement. A new audio installation by Turbynes, the collaborative duo of Rosie Freeman & MARF, has been commissioned by Bradford Arts Centre as part of the heritage interpretation within the building. ‘Sunny Side’ is a new contemporary dance-theatre work about working class men’s mental health by the Calderdale based Northern Rascals. Acclaimed choreographer Nina Rajarani brings Sristhi Dance Creations to the city for a performance of traditional Bharatanatyam work ‘EkatA.’

Tranquil Productions hosts a weekend of Breakin’ with its ‘Techstyles International Festival’. Premiering at and commissioned by Transform in Leeds, Akeim Toussaint Buck choreographs ‘Free’, a new contemporary dance piece exploring Black experience. Zahir Abbas Qawwal, whose first ‘Qawwali’ performance was at Bradford Arts Centre (Kala Sangam) in 2017, is now building an international reputation. He presents an evening of music and song that also incorporates contemporary elements.

Commonwealth hosts the ‘29% Festival’, a festival curated by and with young people from across Bradford. Created by and for Blind and partially sighted people to make Indian Classical dance accessible to Blind and visually impaired audiences, Meera Patel premieres her new work ‘Attuning’, a Kala Sangam Commission. Created especially for families and using technology, Joss Arnott Dance presents ‘Meet the Hatter’, inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

Bradford Arts Centre offers performances on a ‘Give What You Decide’ basis. This means booking shows is free, but there is an option provided for people to donate after the show if they would like to.

Access was a significant challenge in the old building, and making the new building accessible was a major driving force for the refurbishment. For the first time, there will be lift access to all floors, and step-free entrances on either side of the building. Work also includes creating a ‘Changing Places’ toilet as well as increasing the number of accessible toilets throughout the building.

Dr Geetha and Dr Shripati Upadhyaya, Founders of Kala Sangam, said: “The creative seed sown 30 years ago as Kala Sangam has, with the hard work of the team, grown into a massive oak tree as Bradford Arts Centre. As Founders, we are proud to witness this transformation and wish everyone in Bradford Arts Centre many more years of inspirational creativity and cultural inclusivity in all its future endeavours.”

Alex Croft, CEO, Bradford Arts Centre, said: “After eight years of hard work, planning and construction, I genuinely can’t wait to throw the doors of Bradford Arts Centre open this autumn. I hope that it means as much to the artists and communities of Bradford as it does to our staff team and founders. We are thrilled and grateful to have had such substantial capital, community and cultural support to make it happen. Our main contractors, Simpsons, have done an incredible job redeveloping the building into a space that will inspire, engage and entertain people – one that celebrates our company’s incredible history whilst providing the modern, accessible venue that Bradford deserves. Whether you’re a familiar face or a first-time visitor, we’ll be ready in October with warm smiles and a place where everyone is welcome.”

Pete Massey, Director, Yorkshire and the Humber & Northern Economy and Partnerships, Arts Council England said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to support our National Portfolio Organisation Bradford Arts Centre, through the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund, with this capital project which has transformed the building and what it can offer artists and audiences. For over 30 years, Kala Sangam – now Bradford Arts Centre – has played an important role, in partnership with the local cultural sector, in providing arts and culture to people across Bradford district. The continued commitment to supporting and programming work by South Asian artists and those working in South Asian art forms is reflected in their upcoming programme. This capital fund will ensure that this legacy can continue to thrive. It is an incredible year for creativity and culture across the district of Bradford as part of Bradford 2025, UK City of Culture. It’s been great to see so many people from across the district accessing culture on their doorstep. I look forward to seeing how Bradford Arts Centre’s reopening will engage with both these new and returning audiences to support the district’s thriving cultural sector in 2025 and beyond.”

 Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled to have supported Bradford Arts Centre in this transformational project, securing a long and bright future for the much-loved arts and community hub. Thanks to National Lottery players, this beautiful Grade II Listed heritage building has been regenerated – in name and in structure- into an accessible and welcoming venue for all, which will explore and celebrate the rich heritage of Bradford. The reopening of Bradford Arts Centre is yet another fantastic cultural achievement for the city as it continues to celebrate its year as City of Culture.”

Bradford Arts Centre opens to the public on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, with tickets available from Mon 1 Sept. The first performance will be Jaivant Patel Company’s world premiere ‘ASTITVA’, followed by a building takeover by Bradford South Asian Festival. For more information and to book, visit www.bdartscentre.co.uk.

Editors Notes:

PR representatives: Binita Walia 07734 507799 binita@thespaceinbetween.co.uk

Spokespeople:

Alex Croft CEO, Amer Sarai Head of Community Engagement, Alex Corwin Programme and Marketing Manager, Ifty (Mohammed Iftikar) Facilities Manager, Tom Dutton Architectural Design Manager, Rashmi Sudhir from the Board of Trustees.

Short Credit: Bradford Arts Centre is an arts organisation and centre based in Bradford city centre. It provides performance and rehearsal spaces, meeting room hire and social spaces. Its work covers performance seasons, artist development, dance classes, education and community programmes. Bradford Arts Centre offers performance and studio space to artists subsidised through its commercial room hire. Bradford Arts Centre is led by a Board of Trustees and is also supported by an Artist Advisory Group. It has Associate Companies and Partner Companies that it supports with bespoke development packages.

A flagship project opening during Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025, the capital redevelopment project was supported by DCMS through the Arts Council England administered Cultural Development Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation and Bradford Council. Bradford Arts Centre is a registered charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

Architects: Originally Halliday Clarke Associates (no longer operating), now overseen by Richard Walsh and his company, RJW Design Studios, with Tom Dutton as Architectural Design Manager.

Contractor: Simpson simpsonyork.co.uk

Facilities in the restored building:

• New Theatre with 170-seat capacity, 2 wheelchair spaces, sprung dance floor, state-of-the-art sound and lighting
• New dressing rooms and a shower backstage
• 5 studio spaces, including 1 dedicated to community and education work. 2 studios have sprung floors, 1 is a dark space that can be used for working with projection and other tech
• 3 conferencing and event spaces: The Hall, The Weston Room and the Clocktower Suite, with 2 additional meeting rooms.
• A new lift, giving step-free access to all floors of the building for the first time.
• New, central main entrance
• Step-free entrances on either side of the building
• BCB Radio will have 3 state-of-the-art recording studios
• Free co-working flexi space ‘Sangam Lounge’
• Cafe (opening later in 2025)
• Changing Places toilet changing-places.org

Autumn Programme dates:

This is Bradford TIB, South Asia Now SAN, British Diversity BD

• Thurs 9 and Fri 10 Oct: ‘ASTITVA’ by Jaivant Patel Company, SAN, BD, Premiere
• Fri 10 Oct to 12 Oct: Bradford: South Asia Festival, SAN, Building Takeover
• Thurs 16 Oct: ‘Otherhood’ Old Bird Productions, TIB
• Fri 17 Oct: ‘The Long Summer Day’ Mobius Dance, BD, Premiere
• Sat 18 Oct to Sun 19 Oct: BRAVE festival BD, TIB, Building Takeover
• Thurs 23 to Sat 25 Oct: ‘Bring It Back’ Natalie Davies, TIB, BD, SAN, Premiere
• Thurs 30 Oct: ‘What Did The Fire Burn?’ Akshay Sharma, SAN, BD (Kala Sangam Commission) Premiere, TBC – funding application in process
• Thurs 6 Nov: ‘Voices’ MOV (Zoe Katsilerou), TIB, BD, Premiere
• Sat 7 Nov: ‘Turbynes’ TIB
• Weds 12 Nov: ‘Sunny Side’ Northern Rascals TIB
• Thurs 13 Nov: ‘EkatA’ Sristhi Dance Creations, SAN
• Fri 14 and Sat 15 Nov: ‘Tech Styles’ Tranquil Productions, TIB, Building Takeover
• Fri 21 Nov: ‘Free’ Akeim Toussaint Buck, BD
• Thurs 27 Nov ‘Qawwali’ Zahir Abbas Qawwal SAN, TIB
• Fri 28 and Sat 29 Nov: ‘29% Festival’ Commonwealth TIB, SAN, BD, Building Takeover
• Fri 5 Dec: ‘Attuning’ Meera Patel SAN, BD (Kala Sangam Commission) Premiere, TBC – funding application in process
• Fri 12 and Sat 13 Dec: ‘Meet the Hatter’ Joss Arnott Dance, BD 

About Bradford Arts Centre

Bradford Arts Centre is a performance space, meeting place and creative home for the city, spotlighting Bradford’s brilliant culture and heritage. Set in its historic heart, Bradford Arts Centre is a leading centre for South Asian dance and contemporary performance, playing a key role in nurturing new artistic practice in the region.

Bradford Arts Centre provides a level of performance and studio space to artists through a distinctive model, subsidised through commercial room hire, which is unique regionally. It supports a wide range of artists through its commissioning strands: This is Bradford, South Asia Now and British Diversity. Previous artists include Jaivant Patel Company and Kirsty Taylor and Company of Others, with 25 premieres of new work from artists including Balbir Singh Dance Company, Asif Khan, Mobius Dance, and Kat Rose Martin. Through its performance seasons, artist development, dance classes, schools and community programmes, Bradford Arts Centre works towards deepening understanding between people and promoting artistic innovation across the city and beyond.

Founded as Kala Sangam in 1993 by Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya and Dr. Geetha Upadhyaya, the organisation became an Arts Council England National Portfolio organisation in  2005, and moved into Bradford’s former General Post Office in 2008. Following a multi-million-pound redevelopment and extensive consultation, it reopens as Bradford Arts Centre in Autumn 2025 with significantly modernised state-of-the-art facilities, including a 170-seat theatre, five rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, a conference venue, and office space for creative businesses.

A flagship project opening during Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025, the capital redevelopment project was supported by DCMS through the Arts Council administered Cultural Development Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation and Bradford Council. Bradford Arts Centre is a registered charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

www.bradfordartscentre.org.uk

About Arts Council England

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. Our vision, set out in our strategy Let’s Create, is that by 2030, we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish, and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. Between 2023 and 2026 we will have invested over £467 million of public money from Government, alongside an estimated £250 million each year from The National Lottery, to help ensure that people in every part of the country have access to culture and creativity in the places where they live. Until Autumn 2025, the National Lottery is celebrating its 30th anniversary of supporting good causes in the United Kingdom: since the first draw was held in 1994, it has raised £49 billion and awarded more than 690,000 individual grants.

artscouncil.org.uk

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the   future. That’s why, as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

heritagefund.org.uk

About The Arts and Heritage Community Project

The Arts and Heritage Community Project is a two-year project running alongside Bradford Arts Centre’s Capital rebuild, connecting four ‘hub’ sites with the communities within its local area. The project sees the four hub sites (Bradford Arts Centre, Keighley Creative, Bloomin’ Buds Theatre Company and South Square Centre) work with up to four local community groups each. They will create artistic pieces reflecting each community group’s heritage, culture, traditions and the stories they want to share. These art forms are chosen by each community group and could include performances