Grantee Database

Shruti Abhishek Dance

Grant Year

2026-27

Grant Program

General Operating Support

Award Amount

$24,000.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, Shruti Abhishek Dance will sustain and grow its programs in Bharatanatyam performance, presenting, education, and community engagement in the San Francisco Bay Area. During the grant period, the organization will: produce the world premiere of Kismet with Kali, a socially-engaged dance-theater work by Artistic Director Shruti Abhishek, developed in collaboration with community members from Narika domestic violence survivors advocacy organization; produce the 2027 When Eyes Speak South Asian Choreography Festival; continue weekly community workshops with Narika; expand Kshetram School of Dance enrollment and the ArtEchoes youth arts education series in East Bay schools; and present Varnam Salon showcases for California-based South Asian artists. All public events are offered free or on a sliding scale, with accessibility services provided by Gravity Access Services.

Organization Summary

Creating & Presenting Live Performances – Original performances choreographed and danced by Shruti Abhishek and collaborators. Current projects include Kismet with Kali and As You Are full-length dance-theater collaboration featuring South Asian women’s stories and voices.

Arts Practice Community Engagement – Ongoing weekly workshops with Narika Foundation’s community of South Asian women domestic abuse survivors; producing in-house community engaged performances in collaboration with survivors who otherwise would not be able to access performances.

Producing and co-curating two festivals – Varnam Salon series of performances by California-based senior art practitioners, mid-career artists, and emerging choreographers; and When Eyes Speak South Asian Choreography festival showcasing a wide range of South Asian movement forms including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Chhau, contemporary Indian, theater, fusion, and other styles.

Kshetram School of Dance – Intergenerational dance institution founded in 2018. Kshetram helps keep Indian traditions alive in California, while offering space to reflect on how Indian traditions continue to transform, evolve, and grow with each new generation.

ArtEchoes Series – An initiative to inspire and educate kids through live performances. The series provides opportunities for young audiences to learn, be inspired, and engage with the artists in candid conversations about their practice.

Rhythm Plays with Nadhi Thekkek – An open-level Bharatanatyam workshop for those who have always wanted to learn and have fun with this beautiful dance form.

Organization

Shruti Abhishek Dance

Address

1524 Murdell Lane

Livermore

94550

County

Alameda

Region

Bay Area – Other

Website

Email

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