ABOUT BeMA: BEIRUT MUSEUM OF ART
BeMA: Beirut Museum of Art is a new museum set to launch in Beirut in 2026. A new cultural platform highlighting modern and contemporary art from Lebanon and from the region, the museum will be privileging Lebanese and Lebanese Diaspora artistic creation, while also introducing regional and international artistic traditions and production.
BeMA will engage with diverse communities and host cultural and educational programs, in the service of building a committed civil society. In addition to housing a collection of modern and contemporary works, the museum will also create opportunities for the production of new artistic work. BeMA will bring together different narratives, foster conversation, in connection with cultural organizations and partners across the region and globally.
To this end, BeMA will operate:
- As a socially engaged institution, bringing the work and voices of the artists into the civil society, realm, and highlighting the important role of the arts as a facilitator.
- As a learning Institution, offering a diverse educational program, and providing the public with opportunities to interact with the art critically.
- As a collective Memory Institution, presenting and engaging with artistic output that is inclusive and representative of all factions of society, and thus acquiring the role of a cultural mediator and a trusted partner within the community, as opposed to just an authority in the art world.
BeMA Board of Trustees Members
Abou Nader, Sandra (Co-founder)
Abu Charaf, Charbel
Araygi, Raymond (Honorary Member)
Audi, Claude
Calil, Bernard
Chammas, Lilianne
Daccache, Rev. Father Salim (USJ Rector)
Daniel, Rania
El Dahdah, Fares
Haykel, Richard
Helou, Maroun
Karaoglan, Cyril
Nammour, Rita (Co-founder)
Raad, Reda
Saddi, Joseph (Executive President)
Sawaf, Mu’taz
Shehadi, Ramez
Yammine, Sarkis
The Team
• Hyam Abou Diwan Director, Administration
• Juliana Khalaf Interim Museum Co-Director
• Taline Boladian Interim Museum Co-Director
• Rayane Raidi Manager, Programs
• Clemence Cottard Research and Archiving Practices
• Kerstin Khalife Restoration and Conservation
• Maya Hage Education
• Roger Khalil Project Director
• Mahmoud Merjan Archives and digitization
Advisors And Consultants
MUSEUM PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING
• Avesta Group
• Ralph Applebaum & Associates
LEGAL CONSULTANTS
• White & Case
• Bakhos Law Practice
AUDITORS
• PWC Middle East
ART CONSULTANTS
• BAKS Art Advisory
• Saleh Barakat
PROGRAMMING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• Fares Dahdah
• Anne-Marie Afeiche
• Suzy Hakimian
• Nayla Tamraz
• Lili Chopra
• Lyne Sneige
Latest News
Embarking on a historic Journey
BeMA broke ground on February 25, 2022, signaling a new era for modern and contemporary art in Lebanon. The launch took place in a ceremony attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as political and cultural figures.
“BeMA is envisioned to boost cross-cultural encounters and is an act of resistance and courage for an open Lebanon, daring defiance in the face of violence, pessimism, and frustration”
Joe Saddi, President of BeMA Board of Trustees
BeMA USA
In addition to nurturing cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration between the United States of America and Lebanon, BeMA USA works to advance the development of the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA). It is also dedicated to supporting and promoting the innovation, originality, richness, and skill of Lebanese artists and the conservation of their work for worldwide appreciation and inspiration.
From the beginning, BeMA USA sought to create and enhance widespread interest in the Lebanese art scene and all its extensions. It has extended its support to Lebanese artistic ventures through close partnerships and teamwork with US institutions. This has included educational and restoration initiatives, scholarships, exhibitions, and exchange programs.
BeMA USA is a non-profit organization registered in Washington, DC (EIN #46-5146223).
More on https://bema-usa.org/
APEAL - The Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon
A non-profit organization established in 2008, the Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon (APEAL) is dedicated to advancing Lebanese art and supporting Lebanese artists by facilitating their access to the global art world.
From London to Washington, Venice to Dubai, APEAL’s initiatives have furthered the role of Lebanese art by way of exhibitions, public art commissions, scholarships, and international art exchanges. The APEAL Scholarship, granted to talented art students and emerging artists for postgraduate degrees, has made it possible for numerous candidates to attend major institutions in both Lebanon (ALBA, AUB, USEK, USJ) and abroad (Cal Arts, HEAD Geneva, MIT, Sorbonne, Université de Montréal, Yale and Harvard).
APEAL grew to become a significant supporter of Lebanon’s arts scene both at home and abroad. In 2015, APEAL spearheaded the establishment of a major modern and contemporary art museum in Lebanon, the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA).
In 2021, APEAL suspended its activities and its members were invited to join different committees within BeMA.
SUPPORTERS
BeMA gratefully acknowledges its major supporters
- White & Case LLP International Law Firm, Global Law Practice
- Banque BEMO
- Cyril Karaoglan
- El Khoury Law Firm
- UNESCO LiBeirut
- Robert A. Matta
- ABNIAH Engineering & Contracting
- Middle East Institute - MEI
- Cologne Institute for Conservation Sciences - CICS
