ei: Arts Organizations

Al Kasaba Theater and Cinematheque - a non-governmental cultural specialized organization established in 1970 in Jerusalem, aims at the activation of cultural life in Palestine, and enhancingthe cultural exchange between local, Arab and International cultures, through the production of its own theatrical work as well as through hosting art performances, activities, and training courses in most fields of art.

al-PHAN (Palestinian Humanities and Arts Now), a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the many artistic talents of Palestinians and artists influenced by the Palestinian Experience.

The A. M. Qattan Foundation aims to advance the cultural, educational, and scientific development of the Arabs in general and the Palestinian people in particular, as well as the preservation of their cultural heritage and has a special annual grants and prizes programme. Their website is in English and Arabic.

Annadwa, the International Center of Bethlehem, has a website that promotes Palestinian culture, including an online art gallery.

The Bethlehem Peace Center hosts and/or sponsors a variety of events, mostly cultural and educational. These events are broken down into regularly scheduled activities such as paint workshops for children, handicraft workshops for women, and the screening of movies for young and old.

The Gaza Arts and Crafts Village aims to support the traditional Palestinian handicrafts, encourage and support Palestinian art and artists, and develop the methods of teaching arts and crafts to school children. The website is in English and Arabic.

Jerusalem Pottery, which began in 1922, produces hand painted tiles and ceramics that have been a prominent feature of the Jerusalem ceramic art scene.

The Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre is a non- governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of arts and culture in Palestine. The Sakakini Centre was founded in 1996, and is located in Ramallah in a restored traditional mansion. The Sakakini works in three areas: The visual arts, Palestinian identity & narrative, and holding regular public activities such as art exhibits, concerts, literary events, film screenings, children's activities, & lectures.

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) was launched in Ramallah in April 2004 by a group of Palestinian academics and intellectuals to join the growing international boycott movement. The Campaign built on the Palestinian call for a comprehensive economic, cultural and academic boycott of Israel issued in August 2002 and a statement made by Palestinian academics and intellectuals in the occupied territories and in the Diaspora calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions in October 2003.

The Palestine Costume Archive is a non profit research centre, established for safety in Canberra, Australia, in the early 1980s, and dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Palestinian and Middle Eastern costume and cultural heritage through long term research projects, a worldwide museum quality travelling exhibition program, publications and in depth educational and public programs. The Archive now holds a significant collection of Palestinian and Middle Eastern costumes and textiles, as well as several thousand publications of direct reference material.

Palestinian Pottery, run by the Balian family since 1922, produces hand painted ceramic tiles, decorative tiles, tile murals, art and hand made pottery.

The Popular Art Center The Popular Art Centre (PAC) is a Palestinian NGO, founded in 1987 during the first Intifada by EL-Funoun, the Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe. The aim was to provide a forum for local dance groups, musicians and artists. The PAC quickly became the leading cultural centre in the West Bank, organizing annual music and dance festivals (including the Palestine International Festival For Music and Dance), conducting a range of arts programs for children, establishing a cinemateque and promoting traditional music and dance.

RIWAQ Centre for Architectural Conservation is a non-government, nonprofit organization established in June 1991. Since its establishment RIWAQ's main aim has been the protection of the cultural, architectural and natural heritage of Palestine. As RIWAQ recognizes the benefits of group work it has always sought to join efforts with other organizations, local and international, which care to protect the cultural heritage.

Sunbula is a Jerusalem-based nonprofit Fair Trade organization that supports Palestinian craft producers -- women's cooperatives, refugee organizations, disabled people's groups. By promoting traditional handicrafts locally and internationally, we support economic self-help efforts of those living in difficult conditions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the
Palestinian minority inside Israel by providing access to market for their products and assisting in the development of their skills and capacity. A member of IFAT (International Fair Trade Association), Sunbula currently
works with 12 craft-producing organizations across Palestine. More than 1800 artisans earn much-needed income through the sales of their crafts by Sunbula.