Mission
monstrARTity’s mission is to be a leader in innovative, cross-cultural arts for positive social and economic impact in Canada. Read on to learn about the social inequities that drove our Founder & Executive Director, Vikas Kohli, to create each of our programs.
#BollywoodMonster Mashup
Why #BollywoodMonster Mashup?
“When I was working as a music producer, I heard stories from fellow Indo-Canadian artists about being placed on small “heritage stages” at mainstream festivals. Or, they’d play at a South Asian event where artists didn’t get soundchecks or stage monitors. I wanted to create the dream show for the artists and the audience – the larger-than-life stage with lights, lasers, sound and innovative works that elevate South Asian arts for everyone.”
– Vikas Kohli, Founder & Executive Director
#MonsterMasterclass
Why #MonsterMasterclass?
“In the early years of #BollywoodMonster Mashup, when media outlets would reach out and ask for press materials on local artists, the artists often didn’t have anything ready. I realized that there was no financially accessible, culturally-relevant entrepreneurship program for the many newcomer artists in Peel Region. There are established programs for ballet, pop and jazz artists, but not Bhangra, Garba, Kollywood or Bollywood artists. So, after acting as the ad-hoc publicist and manager for dozens of local artists for years, we created the free #MonsterMasterclass program to fill this gap.”
– Vikas Kohli, Founder & Executive Director
#MonsterArts for Youth
Why #MonsterArts for Youth?
“When I was in high school many years ago, the teachers at our art school apologized for 4 years of curriculum being focused only on European art and implored us to learn about China, India and other cultures’ art on our own. Sadly, not much has changed since then. In a region as diverse as Peel, where South Asians are the largest ethnic group ahead of even people from the British Isles, children only being exposed to a curriculum that overlooks the art of the world’s (and the region’s) majority isn’t right; so, we created #MonsterArts for Youth to help bridge this gap. South Asian students should feel like they belong and are represented in the classroom, and other students should feel welcome to learn about our beautiful culture.”
– Vikas Kohli, Founder & Executive Director
#MonsterArts for Seniors
Why MonsterArts for Seniors?
“Tens of thousands of South Asians spent years working and contributing to the tax base. Now that they’re retiring and their children and grandchildren are contributing to the tax base, these dollars are paying for services that neglect their needs. Going to a big band dinner show, learning to square dance, and playing bingo won’t be meaningful for someone who grew up playing antakshari, teen patti and having chai with samosas. As they become older and more frail, it’s critical for the physical and mental health of seniors to connect with each other over common language, culture, and food.”
– Vikas Kohli, Founder & Executive Director
