Our Vision

Exploring the Future of Islamic Art and Culture

Salaam Festival unites local, national and international artists of diverse backgrounds and art forms, to produce innovative and progressive new work. The festival aims to make this accessible to both new and existing audiences in Manchester and beyond.

The Healing Power of Pattern

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Artist

Adam Williamson

13-14 Jan 2024 Plaster Carving 11am-4pm

17-18 Feb 2024 Wood Carving 11am-4pm

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Venue

Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL

Festival

Explore our Culture

We are redesigning an annual festival and new work with artists and communities. Salaam Festival promotes diverse cultures from around the world. We believe that cultural exchange is an essential part of creating a more connected and understanding society. Through our festival, we will provide a platform for artists and performers to showcase their work, while also providing audiences with the opportunity to experience new and exciting cultural expressions.

From music and dance to visual art and literature, our culture offers a diverse range of events that aim to educate and inspire our audiences through a rich tapestry of global cultures.

Watch this space in 2024.

Community

Art in Community

We are committed to engaging with and serving the creative needs of communities. We are working closely with community groups, businesses and art institutions to identify areas where we can collaborate and make a positive cultural impact.

Through our community engagement initiatives, we aim to build stronger relationships and create meaningful opportunities for individuals and groups to connect and participate in the cultural life of our city. Whether it's through organising conversations, workshops, or cultural activities, we strive to create a sense of belonging and real meaning.

Subjects include visual and performance art, art and health projects and diversity through artist representation.

We work with museums, art galleries, venues and arts organisations to host events, design ideas and collaborate on projects.

Schools

Salaam for Schools

We are working with artists, schools, colleges and universities to promote how Islamic art can be included and positively represented. We are dedicated to ensuring Islamic art and culture is presented accurately and sensitively in spaces of learning and education.
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We have been programming culture days, boot camps and enrichment classes and provide practical recommendations to support curriculum learning goals, artist practice, parent engagement, and most importantly empower and inspire a young generation.
Subjects include: arabic calligraphy, geometric pattern, illumination, drumming, taekwondo and nasheed singing.

For enquiries email hello@salaamfestival.co.uk

Featured artist

Adam Williamson

_{is an award-winning calligrapher and sculptor who has undertaken a long list of prestigious commissions and exhibited internationally. A skilled calligrapher, geometer and stone/wood carver, Adam is drawn to particular shapes and patterns that can tessellate into perfectly balanced structures. His work embodies universal principals found in nature through hands-on craftsmanship. Adam has been commissioned by clients that includes, HRH the Prince of Wales, NYU, Spotify USA, Oxford University, Shakespeare’s Globe London, Kew Gardens, Westminster Abbey, the British Council, the Foreign Office in Vienna.}_{Check out his work}_‍_{He is currently running weekend workshops at Manchester Museum with us in January and February 2024. Click below to register.}

'More than 25,000 black and minority ethnic people live with dementia in the UK, and this figure is set to double by 2026 with a considerable increase in the South Asian community"

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_{Alzheimer's Research UK}