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Summary:

After decades of authoritarianism, a wave of political change and unrest began to sweep across the Middle East and North Africa in early 2011. Successful democratic transitions will not be easy and will require change in multiple spheres. This report focuses on one sphere whose power and importance is often underestimated: the artistic arena. Regional artists have the potential to positively contribute to democratic transition by shaping public debate in ways that support tolerance and nonviolence. But Arab artists are often squeezed between the bounds of acceptable discourse, set by rulers who fear freedom of expression and conservative societal groups that seek to control acceptable behavior. Although the Arab uprisings lifted some previous barriers to artistic expression, new limitations and challenges have emerged. Moreover, artists continue to lack sound funding models to support their work and face limited markets and distribution mechanisms. This research explores the challenges posed by both the state and society in the region, as well as the policy shifts that may be necessary to better support regional artists. It also suggests new strategies in which regional actors and nongovernmental organizations take leading roles in supporting these artists and their work.

Table of Contents:

• Ch. 1: Introduction
• ch. 2: Impact of the Arab uprisings on artistic freedom: Egypt as a case study
• ch. 3: U.S. government efforts to support artists in the Arab World
• ch. 4: Nongovernmental efforts to engage and support artists in the Arab world
• ch. 5: Conclusion: new strategies for supporting regional artists.
• Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Preface; Contents; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Chapter One: Introduction; The Cultural Dimension During the Cold War; Recent Shifts in U.S. Middle East Policy; Organization of This Report; Chapter Two: Impact of the Arab Uprisings on Artistic Freedom: Egypt as a Case Study; Legal Framework for Censorship; Crowding Out Independent Voices; Self-Censorship and Economic Incentives; Early Signals from Egypt's New Authorities; Egypt's Artist Community; Portability of Egypt to Other Arab Countries; Conclusion.
• Chapter Three: U.S. Government Efforts to Support Artists in the Arab WorldCultural Diplomacy.; Direct Support to Arab Artists; U.S. Efforts to Highlight the Suppression of Artistic Freedom; Conclusion; Chapter Four: Nongovernmental Efforts to Engage and Support Artists in the Arab World; Programs to Cultivate Artistic Talent and Build Regional Skills; Mentor Programs and Artist Exchanges; Regional Film Schools, Training, and Film Festivals; Initiatives to Promote Arab Artists in the United States and Intercultural Understanding; Regionally Themed Filmmaking for Global Audiences.
• Private-Sector Models Designed to Help Fund Regional ArtistsOngoing Challenges to Regional Artists; Chapter Five: Conclusion: New Strategies for Supporting Regional Artists; Recommendations for U.S. Government Efforts; Recommendations for Nongovernmental Efforts; A New Model to Support the Arts in the Middle East: A "Regional Endowment for Arab Arts"?; Bibliography.

Author/Creator:

Schwartz, Lowell , author

Contributors:

Kaye, Dalia Dassa , author

Martini, Jeffrey , author

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

Item content: English

Main Work:

Artists and the Arab uprisings [by Schwartz, L.]

Other Related Resources:

Print version: Artists and the Arab uprisings [by Schwartz, L.] (Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2013 — ISBN 9780833080363; LCCN 2013019795)

Subjects:

Arts — Political aspects — Arab countries — History — 21st century

Arts and society — Arab countries — History — 21st century

Arab Spring, 2010-

Art patronage — Arab countries — History — 21st century

Government aid to the arts — Arab countries — History — 21st century

Arab Spring (2010-)

Since 2000

Arts and society

Arts — Political aspects

Art patronage

Government aid to the arts

Arts

Arab countries

Genres:

History

General Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.
Description based on: Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on October 10, 2013).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xix, 79 pages)

Digital Characteristics:

text file

Call Numbers:

NX180.P64 S393 2013eb

ISBNs:

9780833080424 (electronic bk.)
0833080423 (electronic bk.)
9780833080400 (epub) [Invalid]
0833080407 (epub) [Invalid]
9780833080417 (prc) [Invalid]
0833080415 (prc) [Invalid]
9780833080363 (pbk., alk. paper) [Invalid]
0833080369 [Invalid]

Other Standard Numbers:

Standard Technical Report Number: RAND/RR-271-SRF

Library of Congress Control Numbers:

2013024493

OCLC Numbers:

849510208