AM Qattan Foundation continues to support visual arts program

Birzeit University, represented by President Abdullatif Abuhijleh, and the AM Qattan Foundation, represented by Fida Touma, its director general, signed a grant implementation agreement on October 31, 2019.

According to the agreement, AM Qattan will continue to support the bachelor’s program in visual arts at the Faculty of Art, Music and Design as part of the project titled Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field, one of the culture and arts programs of the foundation.

AM Qattan Foundation will help organize workshops on fine arts education in higher education institutions in Palestine, engage local artists to give lectures and train students in printing and drilling, recruit international visiting artists, organize exhibitions, and develop networks with faculties of art in the Global South.

Attending the signing ceremony were Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Music and Design Yasid Elrifai, Director of the Bachelor Program in Contemporary Visual Arts Tina Sherwell, and Director of the Office of Grants and Contracts Amir Khalil. Representatives from AM Qattan Foundation who attended the event included Director of the Culture and Arts Programme Mahmoud Abu Hashhash; the project manager of Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field, Yara Odeh; Director of Communication and Public Relations Nader Dagher; and the project coordinator Eman Sharabati.

Abuhijleh commended the university’s ongoing partnership with AM Qattan Foundation and its support of the programs at the Faculty of Arts, Music and Design. He highlighted the faculty’s activities as an important venue for self-expression, creativity, and innovation and mentioned especially the contemporary visual arts program that offers a unique learning experience for students in drawing, sculpture, assemblage, photography, videography, performance art, and social and historical studies.

Touma said that this agreement seeks to further reinforce the artistic and culture scene in the Palestinian community by empowering young artists and creators and honing their skills. She pointed out that this agreement forms the second stage of the project titled Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field, funded by the Consulate General of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) that aims to support and continually revitalize the visual arts field in Palestine, creating a sustainable and growing sector.

The four million-dollar grant is a six-year project (2017–2022) that aims to enhance organizational capacity and sustainability of visual arts organizations and to develop educational programs and research opportunities for students, artists, and experts in the fields of arts and culture.