Al Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art is a non-profit arts organization founded in 1998 in the Old City of Jerusalem, Palestine. Its programming includes contemporary art exhibitions, live music, an artist residency program, and workshops.
History
Al Ma’mal is situated in the former Kassissieh Tile Factory; Ma’mal means “factory” in Arabic. In 1900, the Kassissieh family established a tile factory in the Old City. The factory produced patterned floor tiles commonly found in Palestinian homes. Eventually, the factory became one of the main tile factories in Palestine. By the mid-1990s, a group of artists and activists decided to initiate a contemporary art foundation in Jerusalem. The planning began at Gallery Anadiel, where Issa Kassissieh proposed renovating the tile factory building and turning it into the headquarters for the new art foundation. After an agreement with the Kassisseh family was reached, the Al Ma’mal Foundation was officially founded in 1998. == Exhibitions ==
Exhibitions
Al Ma’mal has been described as "the nucleus for the latest Palestinian art revival in East Jerusalem." Al Ma’mal hosts exhibitions by both Palestinian and international artists, including Tarek Al-Ghoussein, Johny Andonia, Alice Creischer, Nicola Saig, Suzan Hijab, Noor Abuarafeh, Benji Boyadgian, Mohammad S. Khalil, Inas Halabi, Fazel Sheikh, Beatrice Catanzaro, Bruno Fret, Paul Devens, Tanya Habjouqa, Emily Jacir, and others. == Programs ==
Programs
Al Ma’mal hosts an artist residency program. Al Ma’mal biannually presents The Jerusalem Show, an event consisting of exhibitions, performances, workshops, talks, film screenings, and guided tours in the Old City. The Show is part of Qalandiya International, a biennial celebration of Palestinian art and culture organized in partnership with other Palestinian institutions. == References ==