Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Program Overview
SALA (South Asian Literature & Art Festival) is launching a transformative six-month mentorship program designed for prose and poetry writers developing work for SALA 2026. Under the guidance of acclaimed author & educator Dr. Nandita Dinesh, this cohort offers:
- Two-hour monthly sessions from April through September 2026 (2 hours per month, 6 months)
- The virtual group sessions will run on the first Sunday of each month, 10 AM-12 PM PST
- One-hour 1:1 consultations with Nandita each month (1 hour per month, 6 months)
Writers will create pieces inspired by this year’s theme, “The Global Gaze, The South Asian Soul.” Participants who attend at least 9 of 12 sessions will be eligible to present their work at SALA 2026 and compete for a jury-selected award. This is a unique opportunity for new writers to develop your craft in community, receive expert feedback, and share your voice at one of the region’s premier literary festivals.
For more information, attend an information session on Sunday, January 25,
10 AM to 12 PM PST on Zoom.
To apply: APPLICATION FORM
Applications close at 11.59 PM PST on Saturday, February 28.
ABOUT THE MENTOR
Dr. Nandita Dinesh has two decades of experience in interdisciplinary arts-based research, responsive education, and project management: from leading arts & experiential education programs at UWC Mahindra College, UWC Dilijan College, UWC-USA & San Francisco University High School, to currently serving as a National Faculty member at Project Based Learning Works.
Nandita holds a PhD in Drama from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, an MA in Performance Studies from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and a BA in Economics & Theater from Wellesley College. An alumna of the United World College movement, Nandita has conducted community-based theatre projects in various parts of the Indian subcontinent, the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. In 2017, she was awarded the Elliott Hayes Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dramaturgy by Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and has published extensively across genres.
Learn more about Nandita’s work here.