After the horrific explosion that took place in Beirut on August 4, 2020, we launched what became a very successful campaign to gather donations for the arts in Beirut. We have received 212 donations totaling €102,863. We would like to acknowledge the incredible support of peers and friends to help address the situation/s in Lebanon, and we also want to thank everyone for the trust they have placed in Mophradat. It has been challenging to find a balance between what is urgent to address with that which might be more effective in the long run, while staying alert to the specific mandate of funding the arts in Beirut. After much discussion, we decided to proceed with a few initiatives as a start, and take time to be available to contribute as things settle in the new year, and the need for emergency relief will hopefully have passed.
Student Subsidies
In December 2020, we launched an open call for graduating art students in Lebanon. Each student received a grant of $500 to use towards accessing tools, materials, or other supplies that they need to continue their work and complete their final projects. The following 30 Lebanon-based students were selected:
Alaa Merhi
Angela Khalil
Antoine Frangieh
Ayham Atiyya
Chantal Awad
Charbel Harb
Christophe Sejaan
Elie Nehme
Fatima Jumaa
Ghadi El Alam
Jana Mghames
Karim Merhi
Kevin Abi Habib
Lara Yazbeck
Maria Ghosh
Mayssa Gerges El Khoury
Merheb Merheb
Mohamed Mounir Alserwan
Nour Akel
Omar Nohra
Patricia Dawi
Rahaf Armanazi
Rami Saad
Rana Alloush
Rawan Shouman
Reeda Fneish
Shams Safieddine
Tarek Al Merhi
Taya Yassin
Yasmine Badreddine
Workshops
We also supported some workshops which many of our colleagues’ peers have prioritized for the coming period, to both fuel conversation and bring concrete training to a diversity of publics. The workshops will be taking place at:
Ashkal Alwan
Beirut Art Center
Haven for Artists
The Knowledge Workshop
As announced, we donated all funds received after the campaign closing date to Megaphone, to support them in their exceptional role as Lebanon’s leading independent news outlet.