Knowledge Transfer to Younger Generations
Learning
Since 2017, BeMA has been at the forefront of a highly successful public school/artist-led learning program in all corners of the nation.
As of 2022 the department of Learning & Outreach has been developing more programs with the mission of creating awareness about Lebanese art and artists through publications and youth workshops. All programs are designed around the comprehensive collection of BeMA.
Timeline:
2017: Launch of BeMA in Public Schools program for the Lebanese public schools in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Education
2022: Launch of Learning & Outreach Department
Results: Learning booklets on Lebanese art and artists
Series of Children's books in development
16 schools across Akkar, Sebeel, Zahle, Tyre, Byblos, Saida, Damour, Broumana, Chouf , Tripoli, Batroun, Beirut have benefited from this highly successful program
Targets 2023 – 2028: 40 Lebanese public schools to reach 1,500 students across Lebanon
Raise awareness on Lebanese Art and Artists
Nurture a Public through a shared heritage
Video links:
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
- Yi! Street Posters
- 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.
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
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.
