Sangam Labs is based on research collaboration and artistic exchange through the application of co-design, peer-to-peer mentoring & knowledge sharing. 

Based on Priya Srinivasan’s work in understanding the role of the arts/artists in relation to power, the Artist Leadership Labs was established in Naarm (Melbourne) in 2017 as an ongoing initiative to engage emerging, mid-career, senior South Asian/Australian artists with Asian Australian and First Nations artists and leaders in advocacy, dialogue and equity. The framework acknowledges artists from different experiences including respect for senior and elder artists and gurus in an open dialogue about the successes and challenges in arts leadership, research and practice. 

In recent years, there have been two highlights to the Sangam Labs:

2023: Sangam Conversations: Reimagining Contemporary Dance as Multidisciplinary Holistic Art. 

Priya hosted a week-long artist residency at The Drum Theatre & Walker St Gallery in Dandenong in May 2023 with 5 South Asian and First Nations practitioners. The Lab included dialogues, debates, labs and residencies for artists and leaders to strengthen leadership skills, and to provide a community to share ideas and engage in culturally safe South Asian-led practices. 

At the end of the week, two free public conversations were held at Dancehouse with South Asian choreographers, leaders and artists sharing their dance practices, challenges, successes and their relationship to the contemporary.

2024: Sangam Artist Leadership Exchange Bengaluru, India 

In a historic first, the Sangam Artist Leadership Lab was held at the Science Gallery, Bengaluru, in January 2024. Artists, educators, & leaders from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra & West Bengal were invited to participate in the bilateral discourse around engagement via equitable cultural processes in the Australia-India space. 

The public forum was a culmination of two days of talks, practice & discussions at the Global Victoria offices & the SAPA Academy with artists & leaders Dr. Priya Srinivasan, Dr Yashoda Thakore, Thilagavati Palani, Vikram Iyengar & Dr. Bindu Subramaniam. The lab continues the concept of practice as research in how creatives make & think & create a dialogue about their work.

The ongoing activity of the Sangam Labs is made possible by our generous partners, supporters and funders including Dancehouse, Creative Victoria, Creative Australia, The Drum Theatre, Walker St Gallery, Science Gallery Bengaluru, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey, Bunjil Place, Chunky Move, Asialink (University of Melbourne), Global Victoria, Blak Dance, Insite Arts, Sidney Myer Fund, SNS Consultancy, and Australia Consul General Bangalore.