Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Weiler.
Susan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
World Music, Inc. was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1990 by Maure Aronson. He was originally from South Africa and missed the music he grew up with. He started with a festival of South African music and expanded the concert series quickly to include all kinds of music and dance from the far and near corners of the globe.
I joined the organization two years later, in 1992. I had just returned to Boston after traveling for a year with an around the world ticket. I had spent most of that time in Southeast Asia and was looking for a job that would allow me to continue a path of cultural discovery. I started as the Director of Marketing, Development and Community Outreach. That was a lot of hats to wear! Today, I am the organization’s Associate Director. It’s a shorter title, but I still have my hands in lots of areas.
Over the last 26 years, the organization has grown a lot. World Music launched CRASHarts in 2001, a division of World Music dedicated to the presentation of contemporary performing artists. In 2002, the organization changed its name to World Music/CRASHarts to better reflect its synthesis into a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization. Today WM/CA is recognized as New England’s premier presenter of global music and dance and offers bold and adventurous programming in world music and dance, contemporary dance, jazz, and global indie genres. Providing a platform for acclaimed national and international performing artists to share their creative endeavors, WM/CA produces more than 60 concerts and educational events each year.
Today, the organization remains steadfastly committed to its core mission of cultural exchange. Performers hailing from 70 different countries have brought their unique artistic and cultural expression to stages throughout greater Boston and more than 1 million people from diverse backgrounds have attended these performances.
World Music/CRASHarts (WM/CA) has used the power of the arts to unite diverse communities through music and dance and provide a space for artistic dialogue and engagement. In the current political environment, the need to create a common meeting ground for diverse audiences and artists to learn from each other, encourage cross-cultural collaborations, and share in the excitement of cultural discovery is increasingly important in a divided country and world. WM/CA strives to offer audiences an opportunity to share in many different artistic expressions and seeks to foster an atmosphere of cultural exploration and diversity that reflects today’s global community.
World Music/CRASHarts continues to be led by founder Maure Aronson – the current Executive Director. The organization now has a dedicated team of 8 full time staff members and relies on interns and volunteers to further its mission of reaching the individual and the community through the arts. The organization’s offices remain in Cambridge, Massachusetts and are currently located in Central Square.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been incredibly exciting and fulfilling but, of course, there are constant hurdles to overcome, including issues with artist’s visa and travel bans, struggles with diminished funding for the arts, and the ongoing shortage of affordable and accessible venues around Boston.
World Music/CRASHarts – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
World Music/CRASHarts is known for exceptional performances that shape your world. It is a nonprofit organization that presents an eclectic mix of global, folk, jazz, and indie music along with contemporary and world dance in a series of concerts, events, and educational programs in greater Boston. It strives to offer audiences an opportunity to share in many different artistic performances and seeks to foster an atmosphere of cultural discovery. For 26 years, World Music/CRASHarts has answered a need for cultural programming in greater Boston that reflects today’s global community.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
You know, first and foremost, it’s about the quality of the artists and the performances we present. We search for the new and unusual, providing a platform for our artists’ creative expression while challenging our audiences’ assumptions. And, we really strive to build cultural bridges across diverse communities of artists and audiences. We are trying to create global cultural awareness and understanding on a local level and try to keep outstanding art accessible—by breadth of venues, pricing of admission, and education programs.
Pricing:
- Concerts generally range from $20-$79, depending on the artist and venue. The average ticket price is about $35
- CRASHfest, a Global Music Festival takes place February 24 at the House of Blues. Tickets are $48
Contact Info:
- Website: www.WorldMusic.org
- Phone: 617-876-4275
- Email: info@worldmusic.org
- Instagram: wm_crashers
- Facebook: worldmusic.crasharts
- Twitter: CRASHarts
- Other: YouTube worldmusiccrasharts
Image Credit:
World Music/CRASHarts brochure, designed by John Bennett
CRASHfest 2018, photo credit Brian Pitcher
Makoomba
Monsieur Perine -photo credit Felipe Rubio
We Banjo 3- photo credit Martin Ufford
Tao- Drum Heart
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
