Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet creates new pathways for Americans to experience the diversity of contemporary Muslim artistic expressions by introducing U.S. audiences to exciting and dynamic artists from the Muslim world. The program was launched by Arts Midwest in 2010 on behalf of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations with support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.

The name Caravanserai evokes the roadside inns in the Far East where caravan travelers would gather after a long day’s journey through the desert heat. At night, the caravanserais were safe-havens, cheerful resting spots for the sharing of news, companionship and entertainment. Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet creates a modern caravan for you to experience and enjoy artists from the Muslim world.

The 2011-2012 season of Caravanserai features the diverse cultures of contemporary Pakistan. Five participating organizations will host two musical residencies featuring traditional and contemporary Pakistani artists and one film residency featuring a young and innovative Pakistani filmmaker. The 2012-2013 Caravanserai season will bring music and film from different Muslim cultures to new communities across the United States.