Arab Museum Network

Arab Museum Network
Name	Arab Museum Network
Native name	شبكة المتاحف العربية
Formation	2011
Type	Cultural network
Headquarters	Cairo, Egypt
Region served	Arab League

Arab Museum Network

The Arab Museum Network is a regional consortium that links museums, cultural institutions, and heritage organizations across the Arab world to promote collaboration among institutions such as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egyptian Museum (Cairo), National Museum of Beirut, Museum of Islamic Art (Cairo), and Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah. Founded with participation from bodies like the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, UNESCO, International Council of Museums, ICOM Arab Regional Alliance, and the Oslo Museum Consortium, the Network facilitates exchanges among members including the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Museum of Jordan, Riad Museum, Museum of Moroccan Judaism, and the Kuwait National Museum.

History

The Network was established in the context of initiatives by UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Arab States, the Arab League, and national ministries such as the Ministry of Culture (Egypt), Ministry of Culture (Lebanon), and Ministry of Culture and Arts (Tunisia). Early collaboration drew on precedents like the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha) partnerships, joint projects with the British Museum, exchanges with the Louvre Abu Dhabi project, and conservation models from the Getty Conservation Institute. Conferences held at venues including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Beirut Arab University, and Sana'a Cultural Center shaped protocols modeled on networks like the European Network of Curators of Contemporary Art and partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution.

Membership and Participating Institutions

Members range from national institutions—Egyptian Museum (Cairo), National Museum of Beirut, National Museum of Damascus—to university museums such as American University of Beirut Archaeological Museum, private museums like Sursock Museum, regional centers like Arab Image Foundation, and specialty institutions including Museum of Islamic Art (Cairo), Museum of Palestinian Heritage, Museum of Jordan, Tunisian National Bardo Museum, Moroccan National Archaeological Museum, Kuwait National Museum, Qatar National Museum, Bahrain National Museum, Oman National Museum, and Libyan National Museum. International partners have included the British Museum, Musée du Louvre, Institut du Monde Arabe, Smithsonian Institution, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Mission and Objectives

The Network’s objectives echo priorities of UNESCO and ICOM: promoting conservation practices exemplified by the Getty Conservation Institute, capacity building akin to programs run by the Prince Claus Fund, digitization initiatives similar to Europeana, intercultural exchange modeled with the Institut du Monde Arabe, and emergency preparedness following frameworks from the Blue Shield International. It advocates for professional standards aligned with the International Council on Monuments and Sites and fosters collaborations with universities such as Ain Shams University, Cairo University, American University of Beirut, and University of Jordan.

Programs and Activities

Programs include training workshops held in partnership with institutions like the British Museum and Museo del Prado on conservation, curatorial residencies modeled after the Getty Foundation grants, traveling exhibitions coordinated with the Institut du Monde Arabe and Louvre Abu Dhabi, and digitization projects referencing Europeana and the Digital Public Library of America. The Network has organized emergency response trainings using methodology from the Blue Shield International and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, collaborated on provenance research following standards from the Art Loss Register and ICOM Red List, and run youth outreach with partners like the UNICEF regional offices and Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization programs.

Governance and Funding

Governance structures draw on models used by the International Council of Museums and regional bodies like the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, with advisory boards featuring representatives from national ministries such as the Ministry of Antiquities (Egypt), cultural foundations like the Alwaleed Philanthropies, and international stakeholders including the UNESCO Regional Bureau. Funding sources include grants from the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, support from state ministries (e.g., Ministry of Culture (Morocco), Ministry of Culture (Tunisia)), international funding from the European Union, bilateral cooperation with the British Council, and project support from foundations such as the Getty Foundation and the Prince Claus Fund.

Impact and Challenges

The Network has strengthened ties among museums including the Egyptian Museum (Cairo), Sursock Museum, National Museum of Beirut, and Tunisian National Bardo Museum through shared exhibitions, joint conservation efforts, and professional exchanges with institutions like the British Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. Challenges include political instability in regions like Syria, Iraq, and Libya affecting site security, funding volatility linked to donor shifts such as those by the European Union and private philanthropies, and technical capacity gaps that institutions attempt to mitigate via partnerships with the Getty Conservation Institute and digitization programs modeled on Europeana.

Publications and Resources

The Network issues case studies, guidelines, and training materials referencing standards from the International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOM, and UNESCO. Publications include catalogues produced in collaboration with museums like the Sursock Museum, technical manuals informed by the Getty Conservation Institute, and online resources for professionals aligned with digital platforms such as Europeana and the Digital Public Library of America. Collaborative research appears in journals and proceedings associated with Ain Shams University, Cairo University, American University of Beirut, and international outlets connected to the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Category:Museum networks