Palestinian Performing Arts Network

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The Palestinian Performing Arts Network Programme (PAN) was developed through a participatory process involving 12 programme partners: Al Kamandjâti Association, Al-Harah Theatre, Ashtar for theatre productions and training, El – Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe, The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM), The Freedom Theatre, The Magnificat Institute, The Ministry of Education (MOE), The Palestinian Circus School, The Popular Art Centre (PAC), Theatre Day Productions (TDP), Yes Theatre.

 

The twelve partners have come together to develop a joint cultural programme to “contribute towards the development of a democratic and pluralistic society that respects human rights and enhances Palestinian national identity”.

                         

The programme, which is managed by the A. M. Qattan Foundation, contributes to fostering the social dialogue dynamics necessary for establishing a democratic, open and pluralistic society. It also contributes to develop the foundations for “enhanced self-expression and strengthened cultural identity in the Palestinian society by a vibrant performing arts community. This will be achieved through a wide range of interrelated performing arts projects and activities that mainly target Palestinian children and youth (both female and male), as well as other stakeholders, notably in less privileged areas. Another  key element of the programme is to ensure that the performing arts network partners are empowered and have advocated and promoted Palestinian culture locally, regionally, and internationally. In addition, it aims at establishing “a strong network of performing arts institutions which has a collective voice able to influence official plans and policies based on knowledge and research, and to attract more funding to support arts and culture”.

 

The programme will develop a fully-fledged and active performing arts network where efforts are consolidated to place arts and culture at the fore-front of national priorities through advocacy and lobbying with relevant ministries. The process of establishing the performing arts network, facilitated by the Programme Manager, will highly depend on the inputs and commitment of all the partners.  The programme partners will form the core membership of the network which, upon registration, will be open to other organizations to join.  The programme partners will use workshops and meetings to define the nature, vision, mission, and objectives of the network. Subsequent meetings will be used to review and approve the network’s bylaws, governance structure, membership criteria, management and financial policies and procedures, and to develop its future sustainability plan.

 

In summary, the current programme  will have the following concrete outcomes or short-term effects:                       

  • An active performing arts network is established
  • Palestinian communities have access to performing arts productions & performances
  • Children, youth (both males and females) are culturally and socially engaged through learning and participating in performing arts
  • Enhanced capacity of performing arts institutions and professional artists
PAN Meets with Local Cultural Organisations

On 21 April, the Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PAN) organised a meeting for a number of cultural and performing arts organisations from Ramallah and Jerusalem. The meeting kicked off with a presentation of PAN, its vision, goals and achievements, followed by a discussion of the importance of the cultural sector in Palestine and the obstacles it faces.

 

On a different note, on 23-24 March, PAN organised a workshop on “Public Relations and Communication”, led by a team of professionals from Ellam Tam, to the benefit of media and communication officers in partner organisations.

 

PAN was officially registered with the Ministry of Interior on 21 February 2015 under the name ‘Union of Palestinian Performing Arts Network’. After the registration, the founding board convened officially for the first time and divided roles among members. 

Workshop on the Coverage of Culture in the Palestinian Media

On 21 August, Palestinian Performing Arts Network Programme organised a workshop on media coverage of culture in the Palestine in general, and the performing arts in particular.

 

The workshop was facilitated by Said Abumoalla, and attended by journalists and media officers of PAN partner organisations. The workshop focused on the lack of coverage of cultural events in the Palestinian media, the lack of specialisation and interest in this domain, and how to tackle that.

‘Financial Reporting’ and ‘Media in Cultural Institutions’ Workshops

On 12 and 13 November, the Palestinian Performing Arts Network Programme (PAN) held a workshop on financial reporting for PAN partner organisations. The workshop was led by Hanna Natour of Deloitte.  Attendees addressed major problems they face in financial reporting and discussed solutions.

 

On 5 November, PAN also organised a second workshop entitled ‘Media and Performing Arts’. The workshop was conducted by Said Abu Moalla, lecturer in media at the Arab American University in Jenin, and attended by representatives of PAN partners. Participants discussed the difficulties cultural institutions face in media coverage of cultural events and ways to overcome them. 

PAN Official Launch

On 16 June, the Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PAN) announced its official launch following its formal registeration with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior. The press conference held on the occasion was followed by a number of performances in Al-Bireh Cultural Centre. The shows were presented by PAN members and other organisations supported by the network.

 

Attendees at the conference included PAN’s Chairwoman, Iman Hamouri, Deputy Minister of Culture, Abdel Naser Saleh, Head of Development Cooperation at the Consulate General of Sweden in Jerusalem, Johan Schaar, Head of the Social Affairs Section, Civil Society & NGOs at the EU mission, Olga Baus Gibert, and the Director-General of the Foundation, Ziad Khalaf.