Art in all its forms, can provide inspiration and hope, foster a sense of solidarity between people who might otherwise feel disconnected or be in conflict with each other, and give people a sense of pride in their identities even when those identities are under attack.

The issue

Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been under great pressure from regional and global challenges relating to political, health, economic and environmental issues. Artistic and creative expression – which is a part of the freedom of expression – has been facing growing restrictions in the MENA region over the past few years. This comes in the shape of legislations and regulations that enhance censorship and maintain the status quo.

There is growing evidence pointing to the role of the arts in building social capital and creating freer and more tolerant societies. Social capital can be defined and understood as ‘the ability of people to work together for common purposes in groups and organizations. It is the existence of a certain set of informal values or norms shared among members of a group that permit cooperation among them.’ Research highlights the positive potential impact that arts and culture can have on several aspects such as wellbeing, social capital, social cohesion, and citizenship.

About the project

This research, commissioned by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and conducted by Sama Consulting, aims to map out the most relevant artistic and cultural practices in the MENA today and investigate links between the arts, culture, and social change. The research is based on a thorough review of the literature on these topics. Additionally, seven key informant interviews with artists, experts, and leaders in the field of the arts and social mobilizing were conducted.