NONPROFIT
By Tricia Moore | Photos by Kai David D. Photography
Diverse Similarities
A local nonprofit works to connect cultures through the arts
Srividya Venkatasubramanya, executive director of Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, a Bentonville-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting Indian performing arts in Northwest Arkansas, is working to foster a less-hesitative approach among the public in joining cultural events.
With a growing Asian-Indian population in the region, Ra-Ve’s original intention was to make Indian music, dance and culture accessible to its community. But Venkatasubramanya felt it was equally important the next generation was also exposed to their culture. This dual role of nurturing a cultural identity while giving it a “voice” in increasingly multicultural Northwest Arkansas crossed over at a perfect inflection point.
Diversity is quickly growing with the population explosion in the region, and the organization wants to shake up the status quo of how community members attend and think about cultural events.​​​
Students from Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance performing at Natyam, a community showcase of traditional Indian dance
Work has begun in the broader community to encourage non-Indian community members to step out of their comfort zones by joining Ra-Ve and other immigrant communities, whether it’s at a festival, event or art show. “We need other community members not to hesitate and to attend, for example, Hispanic, Marshallese or events in the Black community, even if they don’t sit within those communities,” Venkatasubramanya said. ​​​
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This new extension of Ra-Ve’s mission brought Tom Hoehn, someone you might not expect to sit on the Ra-Ve board, to share in this discussion. “Venkatasubramanya approached me at one of Ra-Ve’s cultural events and wanted to know what brought me, a non-Indian/South Asian, to one of their events,” Hoehn said. “Along with the beautiful and amazing dance performances, the music drew me. Now, I sit on the board.”
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Venkatasubramanya knew Hoehn’s presence at Ra-Ve events demonstrated something she was already thinking about: normalizing diversity in our region. “Every human has a common connection to music, movement and dance,” she said. “It’s here where we can connect our commonalities and bridge those cultural experiences.”
Bentonville’s Asian-Indian population grew by a whopping 239% between 2011 and 2018, according to a 2022 diversity report from the Northwest Arkansas Council’s EngageNWA Program. Hoehn pointed out these numbers when recounting his journey of why he agreed to become a board member. “It was reported students in Bentonville speak 63 languages, and Hindi is on the top of that list,” Hoehn said.
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It was a perfect opportunity to join something that was growing and making an impact in his local community.
Local business owner Gayathri Govindaraj of Sthri Couture by Gayathri, Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation Executive Director Srividya Venkatasubramanya and board member Tom Hoehn during Welcoming Week in September
Beyond learning the cultural norms, food and how to pronounce Indian names correctly, Hoehn shared that he brings an important reminder to the Ra-Ve board, helping its members engage a broader audience and showing the Indian community that they, too, need to be inclusive. “We need to adopt a welcoming mindset in all interactions,” he said. “Many non-Indians are unfamiliar with Indian cultural arts, names, food and customs. It is up to our organization to provide a safe, welcoming atmosphere. Things like introducing yourself slowly, as chances are high that this is the first time a lot of community members have even heard Indian names.”
Hoehn also pushed to have a glossary of Indian terms added to the organization’s website, social media posts and printed programs. “People will appreciate this gesture, learn something new and be less intimidated when joining our events,” he said.
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​Venkatasubramanya said everyone has more in common than they might think. It’s through the arts and sharing culture without intimidation that organizations such as Ra-Ve will be able to normalize diversity.
With a growing number of artistic partnerships in addition to its work interconnecting local communities, Ra-Ve invites the public to an event happening this month. Dancers from Ra-Ve and the Marshallese community will converge for a House Concert on Nov. 10 in the chapel/auditorium at the Jones Center in Springdale from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Over the years, the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation House Concerts have become an opportunity to explore the intersection of Indian classical music and dance with other cultures. This event will present a unique and captivating performance that combines the intricate Mohiniyattam dance of Athira Omanakuttan with the rich Marshallese dance of Arlynda Jonas.
Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation is working to help the region overcome barriers that might make residents hesitate to attend a cultural event that piques their interest. The region will benefit from the rich, interwoven tapestry all-round inclusion brings.