BeMA and Apeal
OUR PARTNERS
Beirut Museum of Art
BeMA
Envisioned as a multidisciplinary cultural platform highlighting modern and contemporary art from Lebanon and the region, BeMA will encourage Lebanese artistic creation while fostering dialogue and cross-cultural collaborations. In addition to housing an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, the museum will create opportunities for the production of new works through artist residencies, commissions and cultural and educational programs. Committed to nurturing a dynamic and creative civil society, BeMA is driven by an overarching goal to create positive social change through the arts.
An independent institution, BeMA will be a site for discourse, creativity, academic research, and public education, engaging local communities. a visible player in civic life, a safe haven, and a trusted incubator of change, addressing social concerns and needs.
Located on a site owned by Université Saint Joseph (USJ) – itself a long-term pioneer of pluralistic cultural dialogue – the establishment of BeMA acts as a catalyst for further cultural, social and economic regeneration. Its purpose is to reposition Beirut as a local, regional and global cultural platform, through the provision of state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge exhibitions and innovative programing.
As a reflection of our increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, the museum will cultivate the local arts sector, foster interaction between individuals and communities, position exhibitions and collections within an informed global context and attract a vibrant local, regional and international audience. BeMA is dedicated to fostering dialogue and creativity between the people of Lebanon and the wider region.
Celebrate, preserve and exhibit art
- Build an unparalleled collection of Modern and Contemporary art from Lebanon and the region.
- Develop a dynamic cultural platform that promotes cultural knowledge, development and expertise, creates connections and encourages creativity and cultural production across a variety of disciplines.
- Nurture local artists and generate a community of cultural appreciation.
Build Civic Engagement through the Arts
- Engage the local community through open access to the Arts.
- Offer active educational programs and space for workshops and events.
- A welcoming, inclusive space that brings people together.
- Provide platforms and programs that connect artists and communities to enable people to add their voice to conversations on civic matters
- Create a place of pride and sense of ownership for the people of Lebanon.
Promote cultural relations
- Forge relationships with people of ideas and by facilitating cross-cultural collaboration.
- Engage the Lebanese Diaspora through partnerships and targeted programs.
- Collaborate with schools, cultural institutions, NGOs and community groups across Lebanon.
- Foster a dialogue and create a platform for a diversity of voices.
www.bema.museum
Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon
A non-profit organization established in 2008, the Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon (APEAL) is dedicated to advancing Lebanese art and supporting Lebanese artists by facilitating their access to the global art world.
From London to Washington, Venice to Dubai, APEAL’s initiatives have furthered the role of Lebanese art by way of exhibitions, public art commissions, scholarships, and international art exchanges. The APEAL Scholarship, granted to talented art students and emerging artists for postgraduate degrees, has made it possible for numerous candidates to attend major institutions in both Lebanon (ALBA, AUB, USEK, USJ) and abroad (Cal Arts, HEAD Geneva, MIT, Sorbonne, Université de Montréal, Yale and Harvard).
APEAL grew to become a significant supporter of Lebanon’s arts scene both at home and abroad. In 2015, APEAL spearheaded the establishment of a major modern and contemporary art museum in Lebanon, the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA).
In 2021, APEAL suspended its activities and its members were invited to join different committees within BeMA.