Birzeit University’s Faculty of Art, Music and Design attained a grant for the “Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field (VAFF)” project; supported by the A.M. Qattan Foundation and Funded by the Swedish International Cooperation Agency (Sida). The project will be implemented over six years (2017-2022), involving several visual arts institutions and individual artists in Palestine. The university is one of the project’s partners, who has successfully achieved the grant for the two phases :(2017-2019) and (2019-2021) respectively.
Phase One Impact
The first phase has contributed to the development of a traditional and digital printing lab. The lab will provide important facilities for students and creative practitioners in Palestine, where they will have the opportunity to be exposed to different techniques and methods in digital and traditional printing, and to explore these methods practically. Such facilities are not forthcoming to students apart from commercial outlets. Therefore, they will have the chance to experiment with techniques and new methods of digital and traditional printing for which there are few facilities available in the country. As for the visual art scene, in general, it will provide facilities for artists to use, and enable them to experiment outside commercial context.
With its capacity building component, the project has reinforced learning and built new partnerships. In 2019, eight staff members from different countries trained students and staff at Birzeit University, including members of the University of the Arts (UAL) and the University of the Creative Arts (UCA). The project enabled the participating staff to acquire expertise in the methodologies of art and design education, in particular foundation program content, and methods of instruction, development of projects and content of courses, as well as specific skills in specialized etching techniques and fashion design.
The project contributed to the sustainability of the Faculty of Art, Music and Design by supporting its infrastructure and building its local capacities. It has supported its financial sustainability and future viability through long-term investments in human resources and workshops/labs. Investing in equipment targets a wide range of individuals and groups, including the faculty and university students, staff and practitioners in creative fields in Palestine. On the other hand, it will contribute to spreading awareness about the viability of studying arts and design.
