World Music Institute (WMI), founded in 1985 in New York, is a leading non-profit presenter of global music and dance, promoting cultural exchange, traditional arts, and cross-cultural understanding.
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About World Music Institute
World Music Institute (WMI) is a New York–based nonprofit arts presenter established in 1985. It is recognized in the United States for presenting both traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world.
WMI’s mission focuses on enriching lives through the arts, increasing awareness of global cultural traditions, and encouraging cross-cultural dialogue. The organization presents performances across New York City venues as well as virtual programs, relying on a combination of public and private funding.
Its programming spans a wide geographic and cultural range, including artists from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. In addition to performances, WMI organizes educational and engagement activities such as artist talks, demonstrations, and audience interactions to deepen cultural understanding.
For audiences searching for world music concerts in New York, global dance festivals, and cross-cultural music programming, WMI remains a significant presenter.
History
Founded in 1985 by Robert and Helene Browning, WMI grew out of a concert series at the Alternative Museum in New York City. The early programmes highlighted diverse world music traditions in intimate settings and also created space for experimental artists.
Over time, WMI introduced American audiences to music that was rarely accessible in the U.S., including artists from Cuba, Central Asia, and the Middle East. During periods when Cuban artists could tour the U.S., WMI presented major figures such as Orchestra Aragon, Muñequitos de Matanzas, AfroCuba de Matanzas, Pancho Quinto, Buena Vista Social Club, Chucho Valdés, and Arturo Sandoval.
The organisation also played an early role in presenting music from the Islamic world through its Musical World of Islam series in the 1990s. Artists from Africa and the African diaspora have regularly featured in its programming, and WMI has partnered with the Apollo Theater on the Africa Now! festival spotlighting contemporary African musicians.
In Indian dance, WMI launched the annual Dancing the Gods festival in 2011, co-curated by Rajika Puri, featuring leading practitioners of bharatanatyam, kathak, kuchipudi, and odissi.
Following leadership transitions after 2011, WMI continued under new direction from 2015 onward, expanding into contemporary global music and adding audience engagement formats such as Q&As, pre-show talks, and meet-and-greets.
Since its founding, WMI has presented artists from more than 100 countries, establishing a long-running presence in New York’s cultural landscape.
Quick Facts
- Established
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1985
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Contact Information
- Address
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68 Jay St Suite 201
Brooklyn, NY 11201
United States