With the support of Visiting Arts, British Council and Charles Asprey, ArtSchool Palestine was founded in 2005 as a structure and place for the exchange and development of contemporary Palestinian art.

Foremost, ArtSchool Palestine is a website connecting artists to each other in order to stimulate critical debate, grow networks, showcase work to an international audience and disseminate information about opportunities.

It is a platform that projects contemporary art activity happening in Palestine and its Diaspora to an international audience; its main aims are to:

• Encourage peer support amongst artists in Palestine throughout the territories
• Increase capacity building and skills development within the region
• Provide greater opportunities for Palestinian artists in the UK
• Increase awareness within the UK of contemporary practice
• Establish sustainable cultural networks between the UK and Palestine

“I feel that there is a great need among Palestinian artists, especially those living in Gaza, to have a virtual space to present their work to a wider audience. The website will help artists break the siege and open up communications with their fellows in the world and will provide a good educational tool for many.”
Basel Maquosi, Palestinian Artist from Gaza

ArtsSchool Palestine is now based in Ramallah and runs a wide programme of activities, from exhibitions, film and video screenings, lectures, performances and publications, to establishing networks and initiating partnerships for reflection, dialogue and exchange.

For more information visit the ArtSchool Palestine website.

 

Image: Untitled, Shadi Habib, 2004, Plaster casts and plinth, installation view.

Shadi Habib took part in a residency at Gasworks, London, October to December 2006. His residency was organised in conjunction with ArtSchool Palestine as part of their ongoing commitment to create opportunities for outstanding young artists to be based in the UK.

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