The Salem Multicultural Institute was founded on February 15, 1997 on rolls of poster paper stretched across a dining room wall by two moms with three-year-old daughters. The idea came from a need to create a positive, tangible response to growing concern about racial tensions in Salem.
The response took the form of a festival, a celebration of all of the various cultures that make Oregon such a wonderful place.
The inaugural Salem World Beat Festival was held in conjunction with the grand opening of Salem's long-awaited Riverfront Park on June 27-28, 1998. This year's event will be the 10th Anniversary celebration of the World Beat Festival!
This grass roots effort has grown out of coffee shop and living room meetings into a meaningful celebration and year-round community volunteerism. More than 300 volunteers, 70 sponsors and 150 exhibitors and performing arts groups are involved with the festival annually. The average annual attendance has reached approximately 40,00 guests. The festival has received several awards in its ten-year history including: Cultural Event of the Year by the Salem Convention and Visitor's Association; a Queen of Peace Community Service Award; a Quality of Life Award from Today's Choices, Tomorrow's Community; Best Festival from Salem Monthly readers; and, most recently, Best Cultural Heritage Event by the Oregon Festival's and Event's Association.
SMI's operating philosophy has remained in tact since its inception…we all have something to learn from one another, and we all have something to teach. The vision of the organization is that Salem be recognized as a peaceful community, committed to cultural exchange and enrichment.
