Emergency Fund for Displaced Beirut Artists launched by Mophradat

An explosion in the port of the Lebanese capital of Beirut last week killed over 160 people and left many injured, leading to protests and reports that the country’s government is now expected to step down.

Many galleries in Beirut have had their facilities destroyed or have been severely damaged by the explosion, including Beirut’s Sursock Museum.

The non-profit organisation Mophradat has launched a fundraising initiative in order to provide relief for the arts organisations and artists affected or harmed by the explosion.

Walid Raad, Board President, and Mai Abu ElDahab, Director or Mophradat published the following open letter:

People are still missing; The dead are being buried; The wounded tended to; Psyches are scarred; Debris is piling up; Shortages abound; And top of our mourning, tears, and fears, we feel anger, defiance, resignation, horror and disgust wrapped into a single continuous consuming emotion.

As we live this (up close and from afar), we will do what we can so that our arts communities return to studios and workspaces, gathering spots and centers, art schools and residencies, museums and theaters.

We set up this fund to gather resources for what’s to come as we know that our peers, colleagues and friends from all over the world are wanting to contribute. We are reaching out to those who know us already and trust our commitment to distributing the funds in transparent and flexible ways (keeping in mind the collapsing financial and banking system in Lebanon). As usual, we will make choices that can have lasting consequences, while prioritizing those already disadvantaged, and those who influence in a thoughtful manner the community around them.

Please write us if you know of a specific initiative or organization you would like to see support directed to. In the coming weeks, we will inform you via our newsletter of the priorities and process of distribution but for now, this is a moment to make a contribution (details below).

Thank you.

Mophradat