2025 was a record-breaking year for South Asia Institute

Thank you for a year of generous support and community at South Asia Institute. As the only independent South Asian American arts and cultural center in Chicago dedicated solely to preserving, promoting, and presenting South Asian arts, your support has sustained and cultivated a distinct and culturally-rich mission. 

As the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, the South Asian American community remains underserved and underrepresented in arts & humanities– especially in mainstream cultural institutions. Through vibrant exhibitions and community-driven programs, we cultivate a platform for visibility, belonging, and celebration for South Asians here in Chicago and beyond.

Our mission has soared to new heights

South Asia Institute has fostered programs rooted in community and expression – serving an ever-growing and ever-evolving community of South Asian Americans. Achieving record numbers for our institution, we’ve explored diverse themes of South Asian experience: womanhood, environmentalism, post-colonial identity, to name just a few.

In 2025, South Asia Institute featured 154 artists across 6 exhibitions and 52 programs! From traditional miniature paintings to hybrid digital installations, our exhibitions and programs have platformed 54 South Asian visual artists across artistic periods and disciplines. 

With live performances, hands-on workshops, and more, we’ve brought together community for programs celebrating South Asian and South Asian American artists – including 54 musicians and dancers and 55 poets and authors.

Carrying the momentum into 2026

In 2025, your generous year-end support has raised nearly $120,000 to support our vibrant exhibitions and programs at South Asia Institute! You can help carry the momentum to new heights at South Asia Institute by contributing to our year-end giving to reach our goal of $150,000 — please help us raise $30,000 more!

Your gift – no matter the size – directly supports the community, bringing appreciation and awareness of our rich South Asian culture and heritage. With community support, we amplify South Asian culture not just in a vacuum, but in its intersections, depths, and ever-evolving experience.

South Asia Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donation is tax-deductible. For more information, please contact fundraising@saichicago.org