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.