Silk Road Institute raises the visibility of Muslims in Canadian arts and culture through captivating programming, including Silk Road Theatre, our Creative Arts Grants, and Silk Road Academy. We do it thanks to our donors and supporters and invite you to be one of them.
The Need:
Throughout the pandemic, people around the world have turned to medical professionals and government officials for information.
They have turned to the arts for inspiration and solace. Yet, there are valuable narratives missing from the stories we are all tuning into. Muslims are often missing from popular arts culture. That means not only are we not represented, but our friends, neighbours, colleagues, and the wider public have often only negative views about Islam and Muslims.
The Response:
The Silk Road Institute is addressing that absence by promoting the works of Canadian Muslim artists, playwrights, authors, and other content producers through supporting arts education, arts funding, and artistic performances centering Muslim voices.
OUR PROGRAMS
Silk Road Theatre
With its home in Montreal and touring productions to Toronto and beyond, Silk Road Theatre is North America’s first professional Muslim theatre company.
Silk Road Academy
Our online interactive courses connect you with renowned artists, and let you explore or refine your artistic talents.
Creative Arts Grants
Our granting program supports innovative artistic creations by Muslim Canadian artists.
In Conversation
Our panels with celebrated speakers explore thought-provoking topics and celebrate the excellence of Muslim and under-represented artists.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Now more than ever, we need the theatre. In a world where nothing seems familiar, everything is possible, and we need to tell our stories and learn from them. The Silk Road Institute is off to a strong start: Spun is not just a great Muslim play, it’s a great play that deserves a very wide audience.”
– Mayor Naheed Nenshi, attending our 2019 production SPUN
“I thoroughly enjoyed leading a workshop with the Silk Road Institute geared towards emerging filmmakers and I was extremely impressed with the level of organization, planning and thoughtfulness that the team put into the program. Workshops like these are very much needed, especially right now when artists are struggling to find and create work. It was refreshing to have a safe and welcoming space to discuss practical concerns for emerging filmmakers and I hope more programming will be funded in the future, to ensure an even greater reach.”
– Ariel Nasr, award-winning documentary filmmaker and Oscar nominee
In the Press
“From developing programming including music, poetry and literature to providing financial support for emerging Muslim artists through collaborations with various foundations, the fledgling institute is fast becoming one of the important patrons of the cultural arts within the Muslim community in Quebec.”
– CBC Arts
“Rarely do we see young Muslim women represented in this way in cultural production … SPUN speaks to those of us who are consistently denied the opportunity or agency to speak for ourselves, particularly in the context of Quebec”
– Montreal Rampage
“Spun is a consummation of creative talent, emotional work, skilled execution, and nuanced perspective.”
– Montreal Theatre Hub
HOW YOUR SUPPORT ENSURES MUSLIM STORIES ARE TOLD
20 DONORS
@ $20/Month
Two day long masterclasses for 25 students to learn from leading Muslim Canadian artists in their fields.
20 DONORS
@ $20/Month
Two Creative Arts Grant recipients each year whose brilliant artistic endeavours are showcased and promoted.
50 DONORS
@ $20/Month
One part-time summer position for a youth, immersing them in artistic communities and furthering their professional development.
140 DONORS
@ $20/Month
One additional week-long run for a Silk Road Theatre production, reaching hundreds of people through attendance and public engagement.
Silk Road Institute | By The Numbers
1250+
Attendees of our Silk Road Theatre Productions
20+
Hours of Masterclasses by leading artists through Silk Road Academy
40+
Emerging artists benefited from cost-free learning opportunities through Silk Road Academy
$18,000+
Grants awarded to emerging Muslim artists through our Creative Arts Grants
20 +
In Conversation and musical performances to diverse audiences across multiple cities
Recent Supporters
PLATINUM $100/Month GOLD $50/Month SILVER $20/Month
Rahat Godil GOLD
Anonymous Donor SILVER
Anonymous Donor SILVER
Eduardo Alves Dos Anjos SILVER
Anonymous Donor GOLD
Ali Chaudhry SILVER
Anonymous Donor SILVER
Samreen Beg PLATINUM
Sadaf Parvaiz SILVER
Deena Thakib GOLD
Ruby M Alvi GOLD
Sheema Khan PLATINUM
Essam Abu-oshaibah GOLD
Anonymous Donor SILVER
Anonymous Donor GOLD
Haissam Dahan GOLD
Aya Salah SILVER
Mooney Ferris and Syma Kabir GOLD
Fariha Khan GOLD
Anonymous Donor SILVER
Aatif Baskanderi PLATINUM
Samir Khan GOLD
Somaya ElSeisi GOLD
Farah Fatima SILVER
Rafia and Baber SILVER
Noha Beshir GOLD
H Masud Taj SILVER
Khaled Shaheen GOLD
Samaa Elibyari SILVER
Asim Baig and Aisha Khan SILVER
Mohamed and Eman Aly GOLD
Tazin Islam SILVER
Junaid Subhan SILVER