Art School Palestine has been set up to cover and initiate a whole range of possibility; it is here for the express purposes of providing a solid structure through which all exchange can flow. It seems that certain institutions have felt, over time, that it would be beneficial to make some kind of contact but had not quite known where to go. This section of the site is the place where information can be more practically shared and new plans hatched. It will become the virtual place for exchange and discussion, for introducing residencies, scholarships, or other opportunities. Although a few people and institutions have already encouraged Palestinian contemporary artists to come, to study, to make work, to discuss art [and we will publish accounts of those experiences] much more can be done to ensure a real and proper exchange over time.
There has been a certain amount of reciprocity. It has been suggested though that however interesting and encouraging a visit by an artist from outside to the occupied territories may be, it can also be a bit exhausting, even a touch demoralising, for those left with out the back up of mutual continuity. In the same way it is perhaps meaningless to show work brought from elsewhere unless there is a continuing discussion of context and content. Art School Palestine is a tool for Palestinians to do what they want, a site for outsiders to gain insight, but it also, principally, the location for shared experience.
Sacha Craddock
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Opportunities 