Caravan Arts NFP

Annual Report 2017During these tumultuous times, CARAVAN had an exciting and impactful 2017, delivering a wide range of peacebuilding artistic programs that have built bridges of harmony, understanding and friendship between the peoples, faiths and cultures of the Middle East and West. We will let some of the numbers do the talking. 52,000 Visitors to our ExhibitionsTo both I AM, our new global exhibition which toured in countries on three continents, and Beyond Bridges, which continues to tour throughout North America.1000s of changed livesThrough our East-West artistic initiatives this year, feedback has shown that thousands of individuals have changed their erroneous stereotypes and negative worldviews about those different than themselves, and have learned to generously embrace the other, realizing we are all made in the image of God regardless of background.65 Artists from 21 countriesThis year, our peacebuilding exhibitions and the numerous programs around them, have resulted in unprecedented numbers of renowned Middle Eastern and Western artists using their art to bring about intercultural and interreligious understanding and harmony.1 Royal PatronHer Majesty Queen Rania Abdullah of Jordan was the patron for the opening of our I AM exhibition in Amman. She said about I AM: Art is a language that transcends borders and barriers . . . the consummate diplomat, traveling the world overcoming race, religion and rancor, building bridges of respect and understanding between us all . . . East and West. I hope that as this exhibition opens in cities worldwide, and people look through this window into our lives, they see what I see what Ive always known: that the people of the Middle East are as warm and welcoming as they are generous and open-minded. And that, today, perhaps more than ever, they are eager to forge friendships beyond their own borders in the name of a stronger, more harmonious global family.4 Artists Panels and TalksArtist panel events and talks were held with our partners in Amman (Jordan), London and Washington, DC involving CARAVAN artists from six countries of the Middle East and North Africa.100s of Students of All AgesHundreds of school-age children participated in our art workshops or used our interactive educational resources at our exhibitions in Jordan, United Kingdom and USA. 3 Concerts Three important East-West peacebuilding concerts were held in Jordan and the United Kingdom in the musical genres of contemporary, traditional and Middle Eastern.*Contemporary Arab Jazz for Peace in London (In partnership with Arts Canteen), featuring the celebrated East-West jazz fusion group HIJAZ and acclaimed Tunisian singer Abir Nasraoui*Traditional Organ Concert in Amman, Jordan by organist Calvert Johnson of compositions by composers from the Middle Eastern region*Middle Eastern A Spiritual Music Concert in Amman, Jordan (through partnership with RIIFS) with celebrated Lebanese singer Jahida Wehbe in Amman, Jordan. 18 New Program PartnersMiddle East Institute, Arts Canteen, The Peace and Prosperity Trust, The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, The Ahliyyah School for Girls, The Jonas Foundation, Arab British Centre, Arab International Womens Forum, Janet Rady Fine Art, Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, American University Museum, Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, ArtBab, Embassy of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Department/Ministry of Education, DMG Projects, The Episcopal Church. 1 CARAVAN Lecture and CARAVAN Arts AwardElif Shafak, the award-winning novelist and most widely read female writer in Turkey, one of todays most respected public intellectuals and cultural commentators, gave the annual CARAVAN Lecture, titled East, West and Global Souls. She was also presented the first CARAVAN Award for Peacebuiding and the Arts. 1 Advocacy TourCARAVANs President. Paul-Gordon Chandler, gave dozens of presentations around the USA and in the United Kingdom on what we can all learn from the all-embracing nature of the beloved Lebanese born poet-artist, Kahlil Gibran, best known in the West as the author of The Prophet.We are so grateful for this most encouraging year of opportunity and impact