A new programme of South Asian music, dance and drama will be put on in Bradford thanks to a £100,000 Lottery grant.

West Yorkshire Arts Marketing was today granted the money as part of the Arts Council of England's Arts for Everyone scheme.

It will go towards funding performances over the next two years at four major theatres in the region, including the Alhambra in Bradford.

West Yorkshire Arts Marketing's director Susie Hargreaves said: "We are delighted to have received this Arts for Everyone award.

"It will enable is to work with a large number of arts organisations and venues in creative and practical ways to bring South Asian arts in from the fringes."

In Bradford the money will go towards:

four new dance drama works;

promoting a major music event for families in the city centre;

creating performance and exhibition work with young people and their families;

providing two work placements in the marketing department of Bradford theatres;

running a training programme for venue managers, artists, arts funders and promoters.

The scheme will get under way in November, when an audience development will be implemented with the aim of researching who goes to see South Asian performances in Bradford and what they would like to see in future.

West Yorkshire Arts Marketing will work with local artists and organisations including Kala Sangam, Oriental Arts, Bradford Festival and the Theatre in the Mill as well as the Alhambra.

The first new works will be commissioned for the 1999/2000 financial year.

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