Conceived in January 2023, BADA is the result of a collaborative effort between Legacy West Midlands, local Bangladeshi artists, cultural organisations, and partners. The agency's mission is to collectively support the burgeoning Bangladeshi artist community and engage broader audiences.
This marks an exhilarating period for Bangladeshi heritage artists and creatives, where they will have the opportunity to be among the first to learn about BADA's plans for the Bangla Week Festival in 2024.
“The Bangladeshi community has a rich tradition of being artistic, however, their full potential is yet to be realised in this region. With BADA, we hope to support aspiring and established Bangladeshi artists, as well as organisations to take centre stage in the creative sector adding to the vibrancy of the region.” – Aftab Rahman (CEO of Legacy West Midlands)
“We’re thrilled to be hosting the launch of BADA at The Rep on behalf of all the artists and organisations that have come together from across the city to support this important initiative led by Legacy West Midlands. Working closely with colleagues at MAC, The Hippodrome, CBSO, Legacy and the Bangla artists community, we are aiming to establish Birmingham and the West Midlands as the centre of excellence for Bangladeshi arts and artists development in the UK.” – Rachael Thomas (Executive Director of Birmingham REP)
“Bangla Week 24, presented by BADA is an exciting festival to highlight Bangladeshi heritage artists and organisations in the West Midlands. Primed for November this year, Bangla Week will showcase diverse, talented, and thought-provoking arts through music, poetry, visual arts, film, theatre and dance. We want to provide a platform for artists to make connections and collaborate with established cultural venues and reach new and diverse audiences.” – Junna Begum, Artistic Director – Bangla Week 24
"I am incredibly grateful to Legacy WM and Bangla Week for providing me with the opportunity to showcase some of my art during Bangla Week. As a brand designer, I’ve often found it challenging to share my personal art with the public, but this platform allowed me to bring some of my creations to life and connect with a wider audience.
A heartfelt thank you to Aftab and Junna for believing in me and offering me this chance to highlight my passion. Returning to my roots in art has been a long-held ambition, and this experience has reignited my love for creative expression. Over the years, I’ve faced significant mental health struggles, and art has been a therapeutic outlet, helping me break down barriers and rediscover a sense of clarity and purpose.
This exhibition was more than just an event; it was a deeply personal journey of healing and self-expression. I’m honored to have been part of it and look forward to continuing to share my work with the world." – Ruhul Islam (BADA Artist)
