About Us
Our Mission
To invite our community to an expansive experience in Indonesian music and art.
Nusantara is an ancient Javanese word that refers to the vast archipelago that is now called Indonesia. We see Buffalo as our own archipelago of different cultures and art—one we should not be afraid to navigate and visit! Nusantara Arts recognizes and embraces that diversity. The beautifully different ways of being we have here makes our whole culture stronger.
Our Story
Nusantara Arts emerged from the growth and success of the Buffalo Gamelan Club, an informal group existing since 2016. Nusantara Arts is the start of something bigger and even more beautiful for a group of people dedicated to the arts of Indonesia.
Buffalo Gamelan Club had grown in size and community appreciation with successful shows at Kleinhans Music Hall, Artpark, and dozens of other places, and with hundreds of students in Buffalo learning this art form. Facing increasing numbers of performances and classes, and growing primarily through the use of volunteer time, Matt Dunning (the club’s founder) began the process of establishing a nonprofit organization in the spring of 2019. Approved in the summer of 2019 with a board of engaged community members excited to support its growth, Nusantara Arts is continuing to spread this beautiful music and culture further in Buffalo and beyond as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Most gamelan that exist in the United States are sponsored by major universities with large budgets. Nusantara Arts is unique in that it operates independently from these types of institutions. Despite this, we have done great things due to the dedication and passion of our members and support of our donors. Many gamelan groups in the United States do only one or two performances a year, and rarely outside their permanent home. Nusantara Arts plays over a dozen shows per year at public venues around Buffalo and Western New York. Like groups in Java, Nusantara Arts prides itself on being a community organization.
What Is Gamelan?
Gamelan, from the islands of Indonesia, is some of the oldest continuously played music in the world. Gamelan grew out of the bronze age and has remained popular as both a community and royal tradition for the past 1800 years. Gamelan music is a community-oriented art form that teaches patience and listening skills, and challenges players to change their perspective on what music can be.
Core Values
Inclusivity: We acknowledge that there is a place in music for people of all races, languages, genders, countries of origin, ages, etc. Music is for everyone, and we grow through working together.
Refinement: We believe in growing as musicians, as individuals, and as a team. We dive into challenges so that we can progress.
Cooperation: As musicians, we work together to create something incredible, and this work takes patience, communication, hard work, and generosity.
Community: We understand that music is meant to be heard, and we want to share our music broadly by making performances accessible.
Experience: We believe that music is a living thing, connected to culture and people, and that experiencing music is the best way to get to know it.
Preservation: As purveyors of high art we recognize the sources of our inspiration, strive to stay authentic to them, and encourage their global perseverance.
Whistleblower Policy
Nusantara Arts, Inc. (NAI) is committed to lawful and ethical behavior in all of its activities. All board directors, officers, employees and volunteers are required to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, and must faithfully implement and adhere to NAI’s policies and procedures in conducting their duties and responsibilities.
This Whistleblower Policy is intended to codify a clear route for any board director, officer, employee, or volunteer to report improper conduct within the organization without the fear of retaliation through intimidation, harassment, or discrimination.