The Directorate General of Antiquities, APEAL, BeMA USA and Studiocur/art, join forces to conduct a study of the Lebanese Creative Cultural Industry, commissioning the independent consultant Mayssa Abu Rahal in collaboration with Dr. Farès El-Dahdah, member of the Board of Trustees of BeMA and Professor of Humanities at Rice University. The study aims to investigate and assess the effects of Lebanon’s economic and socio-political instability on the various artistic disciplines.
Cultural entities and individual professionals will be approached: visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, performing and theater artists, technicians, designers, artisans, researchers, institutions, foundations and commercial galleries.
A detailed 15/20 min survey is set up to help collect necessary information for the identification and analysis of current problematics, migratory patterns, in addition to primary and secondary needs for the creative production. The purpose will be to propose and establish long term strategic solutions for the sustainability of the creative cultural industry.
A summary of the study’s detailed report will be available on artandculturesurveylb.org by the end of December 2020, while preserving the anonymity of the survey participants.
The results of the study will allow the development of cultural strategies carried out by each of the organizations and the General Directorate of Antiquities, in partnership with other local, regional and international institutions, enabling the continuity and stability of the socio-cultural fabric in Lebanon.
If you are an artist, professional or an organization in the Lebanese creative cultural industry, based in Lebanon or abroad, please complete the questionnaire before November 28, 2020 at: artandculturesurveylb.org
The Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA) within the Ministry of Culture is the main of cial body in charge of the protection and management of the cultural, historical and archaeological heritage of Lebanon. Following the explosion of August 4, the DGA created Beirut Assist Cultural Heritage (BACH) in order to rehabilitate the built heritage and safeguard the heavily damaged socio-cultural fabric of Beirut in coordination with the UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS, Blue shield, Aliph, the Louvre Museum, Ifpo, ESA, BBHR2020 and other local and international organisations and initiatives.
APEAL
The Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon (APEAL) is a non-profit organization established in 2008, dedicated to the promotion of Lebanese art and the encouragement of Lebanese artists, by facilitating their access to the global art world.
APEAL encourages creativity in all its forms, believing that a creative and culturally engaged society is one that is constantly recreating itself and whose voice can be heard across the world.
APEAL has grown to become a significant protagonist and supporter of Lebanon’s arts scene both at home and abroad. In 2015, APEAL spearheaded the project of developing a major Modern and Contemporary art museum in Lebanon, the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA)
BeMA USA
BeMA USA is a non-profit organization registered in Washington, DC. It is dedicated to supporting and promoting the creativity and talent of Lebanese artists, and the conservation of their work for worldwide appreciation and inspiration. In addition to nurturing cross- cultural dialogue and collaboration between the United States of America and Lebanon, BeMA USA also works to advance the development of the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA).
Since its inception , BeMA USA has sought to create and enhance widespread interest in the Lebanese art scene and all its extensions. It has extended its support to Lebanese artistic ventures through close partnerships and teamwork with US institutions. This includes educational and restoration initiatives, scholarships, exhibitions and exchange programs. https://bema-usa.org/
Studiocur/art is a non-profit platform based between Paris and Beirut, specialized in research, curation and organization of contemporary art exhibitions. Committed since 2016 to bring contemporary art to public places in Lebanese regions, the platform is developing future strategies to continue supporting Lebanese artistic creation. studiocurart.com
The Center for Research Computing’s Spatial Studies Lab at Rice University consists of scholars, GIS specialists, designers, and developers working together to build online geospatial platforms that combine vector, raster, and other forms of data at the intersection of time and space in order to create web experiences and generate insights.
http//:spatialstudieslab.rice.edu
Mayssa Abou Rahal: Independent arts and culture consultant and director of Galerie Tanit – Beyrouth from 2016 to 2020. Following her Bachelor’s degree in Landscape design & eco-system management at the American University of Beirut and her specialization in Organizational Behavior at the University of California, Berkeley, she acted as a landscape architect and urban planner working with several international organizations to support the enhancement of livelihoods in challenging areas namely in the MENA region, South Africa and Angola. Mayssa Abou Rahal is now an independent consultant in the arts community.