The respondents in Mimetas 2022 survey are strong in proclaiming that their work contributes to the protection of artists and storytellers, and there is a very strong understanding of the relevance of human rights for the arts communities in the countries where our partners are active.
Access to cultural an artistic expression as a human right, has also been at the core of the mission of MIMETA’s long term partner, Action for Hope (AfH). Founded in 2015 to the backdrop of the crack down on the Arab Spring in the MENA region, AfH had a vision of a just and tolerant world, where communities risking social fragmentation because of war, displacement, and extreme poverty are empowered to claim their right to artistic expression and access to culture
An organizational matter high on the agenda is the ways of outreaching. This was actualized during the epidemic period, as it called for new digital solutions, and again actualized with focus on societal impact. Most of the organizations are still developing these digital facilities to improve dissemination and outreach and the use of rich media in their communication.
Beirut DC/ Aflamuna has, for over two decades, continually strived to meet the current needs of independent filmmakers and audiences from across the 22 countries making up the Arab region. The director of Beirut DC/ Aflamuna, Jad Abi-Khalil states:
Given the very challenging context for free expression in East Africa, our long-term partner in Uganda, Bayimba, together with its regional partners, find it relevant and appropriate to invest in the revival of the spirit of artistic activism and advocacy to give hope and confidence within the working environment
Hammana Artists House (HAH9 in Lebanon offers residencies for local and international artists to deepen their artistic research, meet diverse audiences, develop their networks and reinforce their social engagement. Comprising spaces for rehearsals, artist hosting, scenography workshop, and an open-air theatre, HAH also proposes a year-round artistic programme under the artistic direction of Collectif Kahraba and in partnership with over 35 other organizations.
The first edition in three years, Dream City made a powerful return in 2022. For ten days in the Medina and downtown Tunis, 12 projects of creation by Tunisian artists, artists from the MENA region and international ones, transformed the city, engaging hundreds of artists and collaborators, and almost 20,000 audiences in a common gesture of imagination, hope and a common future
Culture Resource/ Al Mawred continues to refine and adapt its programs to the current realities of the Arab region, characterized by closure of space for policy interventions and serious risks to free artistic expression and those who exercise it
By shear nature of its focus on the rights of Syrian artists, Ettijahat finds itself constantly exploring ways to provide protection to its artist community from risks resulting from forced displacement, vulnerable legal status in host countries, prosecution and challenges in entering the creative landscape of countries of refuge.
The long-term impact coming from the program is to provide free artistic practice to individuals. To achieve this intended impact, the program focuses on outcomes that ensure protection for artists, storytellers, producers, and their works against abuse, censorship, legal or social persecution, and outcomes that increase accessibility for people to participate in artistic practice. These two outcomes constitute the universal artistic rights (ref. art 27).
The Mimeta partners are mostly relating to professional networks locally, nationally, and regionally, and within local or national communities, and are not operating directly in policy processes nationally or internationally. Somehow this is a logical consequence of the focus towards change, not political dialogue
Today, Mali is experiencing an unprecedented crisis and cultural actors have not been on the sidelines of this great change in progress. More than ever, it is urgent to produce artistic and cultural thoughts likely to change practices and behaviors that threaten the cultural intelligence of our society. See more in KYA Networks second issue of its cultural Magazine.
I work carefully and imperceptibly below the surface when it comes to freedom of artistic expression. Deep down I stand by those who want to break it but remind them of realities above the surface. At the same time, the water becomes shallower. This is my duty as a producer.
(Faisal Kiwewa, Bayimba, Uganda.)
Poster A3 for uploading
Poster A3 for uploading
The short version
Mimetas vision is to give GIVE PEOPLE THEIR RIGHT TO FREE CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS, created on free terms and presented by independent institutions.
Our mission is to support and protect those who want to enhance a culture by aesthetic or intellectual means.
By both our vision and mission Mimeta highlight the impact arts have on developing open societies, including the culture itself and the political spfere.
On the strategic level Mimeta is acheiving results by supporting organisations and individuals who work on behalf of the arts, to improve the sectors´ position on rights issues, in political and legal matters, on professionalism and skills, the distribution of the arts and - in the end - the sustainability of the sector.
We call them the service providers to the arts.
For more information on our priorities and strategic initiatives
Nadia Cherif was given the task of evaluating Mimeta's program for cultural sector development (2020-22. It was finalized in november 2023, and gave good input for next stage. Read here
