Exhibition Space

The Ethnographic Collections Room
This room, which was inaugurated in 1998, is set on the second floor of Alghanim Library. It is equipped with museum-quality cabinets, proper lighting and a controlled environment. It was planned with the help of museum consultants and aims to welcome specialized ethnographic exhibits featuring the University's or other collections. Presently on display is "Ya Kafi Ya Shafi," an exhibition of more than 200 items from the Tawfiq Canaan Collection of Palestinian Amulets.

Al Qamariah Art Gallery in the Diana Tamari Sabbagh Center
The Gallery was inaugurated in the Spring of 2000 with an exhibition from the University's Art Collection. A program is being arranged to host other exhibitions in this gallery and to invite local and international artists in activities connected with the exhibits. Talented students will also be encouraged to exhibit their art works at Al Qamariah.

The Collections Workroom/Laboratory
This is another space connected with the collections and located in the Diana Tamari Sabbagh Center. It is assigned for the storage, registration, maintenance and technical supervision of the collections. This room forms the basis for a small restoration laboratory. Recently, two professional restorers from The Chicago Historical Society were invited to survey the collections and report their conditions, drawing recommendations for future restoration and preservation schemes. An introductory seminar on the conservation of cultural material was organized during the stay of the two restorers for which a number of people, representing other Palestinian institutions involved with cultural heritage, were invited.

Also this year, the technical assistant for the collections has been hosted for six months in an apprenticeship program by the Linden Museum in Stuttgart/Germany. This is to advance know-how and skills in Museum Management. A database is being developed to help preserve and organize the collections in order to facilitate research and study opportunities. This is being undertaken with the help of the Computer Center in the University and a number of students who have been actively assisting in the documentation and registration of the collections.