We had the good fortune of connecting with Kulsum Tasnif and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kulsum, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I founded Artist Ummah because there was a need for a space where Muslim creatives could be their authentic selves. After 9-11, immigrant Muslims strove to be active members of their respective communities to dispel stereotypes and combat damaging narratives perpetuated by the media. I have spent a good part of my 20-plus-year career as a visual artist creating art to build bridges and promote understanding. This work was important because it paved the way for the next generation to grow, progress, explore, take risks, gain confidence–and go further than I ever dreamed possible.

After I completed my graduate studies in Art and Design in 2021, I began looking for jobs. Nothing seemed fulfilling. A friend advised me to write down what my ideal job would look like. Everything came back to a non-profit arts organization that provided Muslim artists with a space to create without compromise; to be unapologetic about our identities; and to bring creativity and color to our communities. Thus, Artist Ummah was born, “Ummah” meaning “community” in Arabic.

What should our readers know about your business?
Artist Ummah is a community-driven cultural arts initiative that seeks to address themes that are relevant to the Muslim community and beyond. We offer opportunities to Muslim creatives by providing accessible spaces to showcase their work and grant educational resources to enhance their practice.

Many immigrant cultures have a history of devaluing the significant role arts and visual artists play in our society. Our organization is a haven that encourages authentic self-expression, imagination, and equity—and through the arts, brings attention to the challenges that our under-resourced, under-served, and under-valued creative communities face.

Our first year has been about experimentation, taking risks, and thinking outside the box. We are building a growing roster of visual artists, writers, poets, musicians, teachers, and artivists to collaborate with. Since our official launch in January 2023, we have offered our multicultural and multigenerational Muslim community unique and innovative events that we hope bring excitement and inspiration. From a sold-out Ramadan and Eid Artisan festival which showcased up-and-coming young vendors, to re-introducing traditional Islamic Art to Muslim spaces, we are continuously pushing ourselves to find ways to serve our community better through the arts. Perhaps our most joyous initiative thus far has been to establish an art program for children with exceptionalities.

In essence, Artist Ummah believes that the creative process and resulting expression can act as a catalyst to bring about positive social change. We bring the arts to our community and our community to the arts, so that together, we may grow and thrive.

 

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Asali Desserts is a must!

 

 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
BIG shoutout to the Artist Ummah Advisory Board and Core Team! This organization would not exist without their time, dedication, and willingness to lend their expertise to uplift the arts in our community. This first year has been quite the roller coaster, and we’ve been going non-stop, one innovative project after the other, mashaAllah! The Artist Ummah team is a group of accomplished individuals who are very good at what they do. I value them beyond words.

I’d also like to acknowledge The Light House Project, which is a non-profit organization that serves Muslim youth. Accessible safe spaces are hard to come by, and they have been wonderful about letting us utilize their space for our creative community needs.

On a personal note, I will never forget the following important art people in my life: the late Conrad Atkinson whose mantra was “trust the process”; my mentor/friend artist Brandon Cordrey who used his resources to uplift artists of color every chance he could; and artist Deborah Ashheim, who introduced me to the fantastic world of public art!

 

Instagram: instagram.com/artist.ummah

Nominate Someone: undefined is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.