On July 16, 2021, Silk Road Rising, along with 39 other Chicago-based cultural organizations, was officially designated a Chicago Cultural Treasure. We understand the word "treasure" as meaning something of great worth or value, or a collection of precious things. For Silk Road Rising to be recognized as a treasure, and in the company of such distinguished peers, is both humbling and galvanizing. We are determined to exceed the spirit and expectations of this extraordinary honor.
The primary goal of Chicago’s Cultural Treasures is to support organizations whose mission is to enable the creation, preservation, and dissemination of art stemming from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) traditions, leadership, and cultures. Under the stewardship of IFF (not an acronym), a powerful collective of philanthropic foundations has announced significant grant funding for 40 organizations that contribute to the histories, cultures, vibrancy, and identities of BIPOC communities in greater Chicago.
IFF, a nonprofit financial institution that helps other nonprofits achieve financial stability through the nexus of facilities and finance, is administering this initiative. As of June 2021, a total of $24.75 million has been committed to Chicago’s Cultural Treasures, which includes:
- $5 million in seed funding provided by the Ford Foundation as part of it’s America’s Cultural Treasures announcement in September 2020;
- $8 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, announced in June 2021; and
- $11.75 million from a team of Chicago-based funders, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Joyce Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, Terra Foundation for American Art, and Walder Foundation.
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Celebrating Chicago's Cultural Treasures
Africa International House USA
Aguijon Theater Company of Chicago
American Indian Center
Asian Improv aRts Midwest
The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians
Black Ensemble Theater
Chicago Blues Museum
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
Chicago West Community Music Center
Community Film Workshop of Chicago
Congo Square Theatre Company
Cuerdas Clasicas Inc.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
Diasporal Rhythms
DuSable Museum of African American History
eta Creative Arts Foundation, Inc.
Gingarte Capoeira
Inner-City Muslim Action Network
International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago
Jazz Institute of Chicago
Joel Hall Dancers & Center
Little Black Pearl Workshop
Live the Spirit Residency / Englewood Jazz Festival
Mexican Folk Dance Company of Chicago
Muntu Dance Theatre
Musical Arts Institute
National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
Natya Dance Theatre
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Red Clay Dance Company
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
Silk Road Rising
Sones de Mexico
South Shore Drill Team
South Side Community Art Center
Teatro Vista
Threewalls
UrbanTheater Company
West Point School of Music/Epic Steel
Learn More at ChicagoCulturalTreasures.org
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