ArtSchool Palestine

ArtSchool Palestine is a non-profit organisation founded in 2005. Established by a group of art professionals, curators and artists based in Palestine and London, it aims to function as a facilitating structure and base for the development and promotion of contemporary Palestinian art.

Through its various programmes, ArtSchool Palestine strives to provide artists with opportunities for networking, dialogue and cultural exchange. It seeks to showcase their work to a wider international audience and to facilitate educational opportunities and encourage critical debate.

Since our launch in 2005, activities have included involvement in a wide range of projects – from exhibitions, film and video screenings, lectures, performances and publications, to establishing networks and initiating partnerships for reflection, dialogue and exchange.

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES:

Artist-in-residence & exchange programme

The international residency programme offers young Palestinian artists the opportunity to live and work abroad in an atmosphere designed to stimulate personal vision and encourage new and exciting artistic expression. It also offers international artists possibilities to pursue new projects or research in locations throughout Palestine, in the process making links with artists and art organisations in Palestine and contributing to building a network for the exchange of ideas and opportunities, and for ongoing dialogue.

Supporting new artistic productions & exhibitions

The lack of systematic funding bodies for the arts in Palestine hinders experimentation and the realisation of new ideas for many young talented artists. To address this, ArtSchool Palestine allocates yearly a number of grants to support new artistic productions that are exhibited both locally and internationally.

The promotion of Palestinian and Arab contemporary art internationally

To increase international awareness of contemporary artistic practice in Palestine and the Arab world, ArtSchool Palestine organises a number of exhibitions both in Palestine and internationally.

The provision of a contemporary art archive and cultural database

The ArtSchool Palestine website (www.artschoolpalestine.com) is a virtual space that documents and advertises exhibitions of Palestinian contemporary art as well as providing an on-line resource for opportunities, residencies, exhibitions, symposia and events – both in Palestine, the Arab world and internationally. We are also building an archive of film and video-based artistic practice by Palestinian and other Arab artists.