Co | Labs

The Full Story

Co | Labs began inside Theiyā Connect as a simple, practical question -

What support do South Asian arts practitioners actually need to move from idea to collaboration, without having to do it all alone?

We wanted to create a structure that holds time, space, and care around the early stages of making, while staying open to what each collaboration might become. Co | Labs brings together artists with an existing practice rooted in South Asian arts to build new collaborations. The first Co|Labs iteration ran in 2024, and we are developing it as an ongoing programme, particularly for practitioners who are building visibility, networks, and longer-term pathways in the sector.
 

At its centre, Co | Labs supports the development of high-quality work and the sharing of that work in ways that are accessible and locally grounded. Alongside paid studio time and creative support, the programme creates opportunities for different kinds of engagement shaped by the artists, the context, and the partnerships involved, like work-in-progress sharings, participatory sessions, community performances, or other ways of connecting with local communities.
 

We develop each iteration of Co|Labs with local hubs and community centres across Edinburgh, creating opportunities for artists to build meaningful relationships and bring South Asian arts into spaces where diverse work may not usually be seen.

We also hold the programme as a springboard: supporting collaborations that can continue beyond Co|Labs, through further development, touring conversations, or future opportunities. Over time, our intention is to build a steady rhythm of collaborations and sharings, shaped in partnership with community hubs in different areas of Edinburgh.