Services for Learning and Community

Within this entry:

Over the past ten years, Shisha has established an extensive network of artists, curators and academics. It has demonstrated its unique specialist knowledge in programming South Asian visual arts events and exhibitions. It provides learning opportunities and expertise for arts professionals who have limited understanding of and exposure to work of South Asian origin, through a number of consultancy services for public and commercial sectors.

Shisha can offer its expertise and assistance in:

  • Idea generation for educational projects
  • Sourcing and commissioning artists for exhibition, workshops residencies and festivals
  • Curatorial support and research and development visits to South Asia
  • Developing concepts for seminars and a range of initiatives for promoting South Asian artistic discourse
  • Engaging South Asian communities and developing marketing campaigns

Shisha has delivered a range of education consultancy work with key arts organisations in the UK including the Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green. In 2004, Shisha was commissioned to undertake a curatorial research and development visit to India for the exhibition, Khel, Toys from India. The museum achieved its highest record of visitor figures during this period. In addition Shisha conceived the Rusholme Education Project in 2007, a collaborative learning initiative with Manchester Art Gallery resulting in artist-led workshops at three schools and four local artists.

Shisha is keen to promote its education consultancy work with organisations to deliver and diversify their arts programmes and create packages to suit the needs of the people we work with.

Image credit: My birth will take place a thousand times no matter how you celebrate it, Ruby Chishti, 2000

For further information

Telephone +44 (0)161 838 5250
Email info@shisha.net
My birth will take place a thousand times no matter how you celebrate it, Ruby Chishti, 2000

Case studies

  • Sangam Asian Women’s Project

    Sangam Asian Women’s Project

    As part of the Campaign for Learning through Museums and Galleries, Shisha conceived a programme of creative participatory workshops in...

    As part of the Campaign for Learning through Museums and Galleries, Shisha conceived a programme of creative participatory workshops in partnership with North West Museums Libraries and Archives Council.

    The project was inspired by the Sangam exhibition which showcased a range of contemporary craft from India linked to toymaking and decoration at Urbis. Freelance artist/educator, Nazeera Atcha, and three artists were selected by Shisha.

    The workshops were delivered at Urbis, Manchester, Rochdale Art Gallery, Bolton Art Gallery and associated community centres. Women from South Asian communities as well as refugee communities from the three districts participated in the project. The final work culminated in an exhibition at Urbis and the partner venues.

    Approximately 180 people were involved in the project including the Sangam festival day. The groups and artists were:

     

    • Mother & Toddler Group, Cheetham Family Learning Centre – Gowri Savoor
    • Al Zahra Community Centre – Khadija Ingar
    • Rochdale Community Centre & Sparrow Hill Community Centre – Bushra Sultana 

    A handling collection was produced and used as a resource material for each of the partner venues as well as an education pack as a legacy of the project. The Sangam project helped inform the process of working with the communities, finding alternative sites of learning to break down barriers and encourage audiences to visit the museums.

    An independent evaluation was produced and conducted in collaboration with Sampad, based at MAC, Birmingham. Participants and partners highlighted significant learning outcomes for those involved.

    Image credit: Sangam Asian Women’s Project