THE LEGACY CAMPAIGN

Taking our stories to the next stage
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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.

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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

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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