Outdoor Arts
The year is already gathering pace, with exciting conversations, sector engagement and festival planning shaping the months ahead. February has seen us travel to the Outdoor Arts UK Conference, collaborate on an artist callout and continue to build towards this year’s An Indian Summer festival.
Alongside this, work continues behind the scenes as we refine our evolving brand and shape the next chapter for Inspirate. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to.
Inspirate and Art Reach Artist Call Out
South Asian-Led Outdoor Arts on Climate & Environment
Inspirate and Art Reach are excited to be working together to offer this co-commission.
We are seeking proposals for a new outdoor arts project exploring environmental and climate issues, led by South Asian artists or companies.
This opportunity offers up to £10,000 to support a Research & Development process, with informal sharings at An Indian Summer Festival and Journeys Festival in 2026.
We’re Looking For
South Asian-led artists or companies.
We welcome proposals from South Asian artists/companies across the UK. This includes artists whose heritage is from Indian, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan.
Strong artistic vision addressing climate or environmental themes.
Work designed for outdoor and public spaces
Commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious creative practice
Head over to our website for more information on how to apply for the call out.
Outdoor Arts UK Conference
Earlier this month, our Executive Producer, Parmjit Sagoo, joined sector leaders at the Outdoor Arts UK Conference- Change On Our Streets.
The conference opened with Outdoor Arts UK, 101 Outdoor Arts and Without Walls sharing 'Wherever you are, whoever you are, the arts are yours: A Strategy for Joy and Belonging for, with and by the Outdoor Arts Sector'. Developed by Sud Basu of Third Version Creative, the strategy has been created for, with and by the Outdoor Arts Sector, outlining an exciting and thought provoking strategy and vision to strengthen the outdoor arts sector over the next ten years.
Parmjit presented a provocation and contributed to a panel discussion on “Outdoor Arts: The Frontier of Where Art Meets Public Life", a conversation exploring how today’s complex social and cultural dynamics are shaping the outdoor arts landscape — and what leadership within the sector must demonstrate in response.
Parmjit shares a brief reflection on her provocation:
“The conference was a hub of vibrant and interesting perspectives on the power, impact and potential of outdoor arts. Woven through the strategy is a recognition of the national and global context we are facing socially, politically and culturally, and the role that the outdoor arts sector has in creating dialogue and connection across communities.
My provocation centered around the rise of far right ideology and hostility within our world and the challenges diverse artists and companies face whilst touring and taking work to public spaces across the country, raising the questions:
“How can the outdoor arts sector protect and safeguard artists more proactively?
“How can there be a more collective and connected act of care across the sector?”
An Indian Summer 2026
We recently announced the festival days for our flagship festival, An Indian Summer, which returns to Leicester city centre from Wednesday 1st to Sunday 5th July 2026.
The festival continues to be a unique celebration of contemporary South Asian arts and culture, with open-air events and performances happening across Jubilee Square and the historic surroundings of Leicester Cathedral. Showcasing original work by South Asian artists from across the UK, this year’s festival programme features bold theatre, cutting-edge dance, live music, puppetry, film and visual arts.
Last year’s edition brought exciting and original outdoor performances to audiences across the city, and we’re building on that momentum as we shape this year’s programme.
The full line-up will be announced soon — follow us on social media or keep an eye on our website for festival updates.
