Decentralized Public Engagement

Innovative Outreach & Exhibition Formats


Outreach programs are rooted in a strong belief in the transformative power of the arts and the right of all people to access culture.
These programs, which target an array of audiences both within and outside Beirut and the country, define BeMA’s commitment to the general public.
These programs began in 2010 through APEAL and are ongoing until today. To cultivate a larger audience and support artists, BeMA provides de-centralized visibility and access to their programs.

Timeline

2022: Launch of BeMA Beyond the Walls Programs

Results:
  • Public Access Campaign
Lebanese art and artists from the collection exhibited for the first time through awareness campaigns and loans to local institutions:
  • Bridging the Gap:
1Program - 6 outcomes Artist Commission/Artist in Residence with Artisan/Exhibition from the Collection/Link to Scientific Conservation Lab/Research and Online Publication/ Learning Booklet
  • Travelling mobile exhibitions in remote villages and towns
Targets 2023 – 2028:
  • Reach 60 Lebanese villages and towns and 500,000 members of the public across Lebanon
  • Raise awareness on Lebanese Art and Artists, a shared cultural heritage
  • Cultivate an art-engaged community



Publishing the National Heritage
Research


Very few academic studies around Lebanese Art history exist.

RESEARCH & DIGITIZATION

Lebanese art, artworks and artists need to be accessed, studied, documented and positioned in a historical context.
The physical structure of the library housing the archives, books, manuscripts, and periodicals, will foster an indispensable research and digitization program of our National Treasure.


There is need for research and data creation. Topics will stem from the collection itself through the conservation procedures all the way to the primary sources linked to it.
Through institutional collaborations, BeMA will centralize this data virtually to make it accessible to the public and researchers

Timeline

2021: Launch of Research Department

2022: BeMA collaborates with art historians and historians on 30 Lebanese artists and 60 artworks setting a standard of reference for Lebanese art historical data

Innovative design and technical development of a public online database and CMS

Results: Launch of BeMA's online database, a national resource, accessible to academics and the public.
8 online essays published on research from the Conservation and Research department

Targets 2023-2028:
  • To research the entire collection of 2500 artworks and 470 artists
  • Become a reference for research on Lebanese Art and Artists, a shared cultural heritage
  • Establish partnerships with research institutions

Documenting National Heritage
Archives & Digitization


Archives and Primary sources will be preserved and amassed to offer a depository of information for researchers and cultural experts.

Timeline

2021: Launch of Digitization campaign starting with the National Art collection
Guidelines and policies create according to The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) standards

2022: Creation of an innovative mobile digitization kit to enable on-site digitization
Acquisition of 80% of archiving & digitization equipment

Results: Identified and outsource endangered archives
Collaboration with archive owners
500 artworks are digitized to the highest standards

Targets 2023 – 2028:
  • Digitize the entire collection of 2500 artworks
  • Purchase specific-use equipment
  • Digitize endangered archives
  • Become an archives depository on Lebanese Art and Artists, a shared cultural heritage
  • Transfer know-how
Digitizing private collections & archives

Our in-house imaging lab boasts state-of-the-art equipment designed to digitize paintings, various paper-based materials, photographs and sculptures. 
If you have a collection that you wish to preserve digitally according to international museum standards and you would like to benefit from our digitization facilities, please fill out and submit this form
All proceeds directly support our digitization department.