National Indo American Museum

Outreach Programs:------------------The Cultural Rhythms Program introduces and Indian American Identity, and classical and folk dances to underprivileged children enrolled in public schools in the greater Chicago area.NIAMs Gandhi Peace Program began in 2019 with the goal of bringing Mahatma Gandhis peace and non-violence teachings to underprivileged schools in Chicago. The curriculum caters to Grades 2-5 and has been delivered to over 800 students in several Chicago Public Schools. The curriculum encompasses Gandhis incredible story but also teaches children the practice of meditation along with an art and writing component.NIAMs longest running and most popular program, Ethnic Dialogue, engages hundreds of school and university students and adult groups each year with first voice presenters to learn more about the Indian American community and explore common ground shared by Americans of all ethnicities. Customized to fit specific requests from interested groups and tailored to meet the needs of educators from grade school through university, the program draws upon the expertise of scholars, researchers and community volunteers to capture the essence of the Indian American experience and share it with a wide ranging audience. For a deeper understanding of Indian American history and culture through interaction with those who live it every day, partner with NIAM to develop a program that best fits your needs. Ethnic Dialogue programs can be conducted in school settings, at our Museum in Lombard, or in the heart of the South Asian neighborhood in Chicago's Rogers Park.Cultural Programs:------------------Sunday Arts Series is a program designed to showcase various artists and art forms. This program links to NIAMs mission by maintaining, sustaining, and promoting the rich cultural history embedded in Indian Arts.Livewire is NIAMs open mic monthly program where everyone is welcome to share their talent. Performers include professional and amateur storytellers, singers, songwriters, actors and poets. While the spotlight is on a featured performer, anyone eager to engage with the audience or recount an anecdote is encouraged to take the stage.A Taste of India provides an insider's tour of Indian flavors and spices, accompanied by a specially prepared tasting of choice dishes and delicacies that explore the diversity of Indiias regional cuisines.Exhibitions:------------Desi Roots and Wings includes the Beyond Bollywood exhibit developed in conjunction with the Smithsonian, NIAM, The Field Museum, and Chicago Community Trust. The traveling exhibit now has a permanent home at the National Indo-American Museum.E-Merge exhibits art of Diasporic artists.Through its web-site, NIAM offers virtual galleries. These virtual galleries speak to the heart of the Indian American experience and explore its many facets through a curated selection of images and stories.NIAM Hall of Fame:------------------NIAM is the only institution of its kind in the country dedicated to preserving the history and contributions of the nearly five million Indian Americans in the United States. As part of its mission, NIAM established a Hall of Fame to honor individuals whose achievements in their chosen fields exemplify the contributions Indian Americans make to the greater American story.Storytelling:-------------NIAM gathers oral histories from Indian-Americans that allow us to reminisce about shared experiences, reconnect with our roots, and appreciate the historic journeys of our friends and neighbors.