23rd December 2021 FINAL NEWSLETTER OF 2021

23rd December 2021
FINAL NEWSLETTER OF 2021
 

As we draw a line under this year, we wanted to take a moment to look back at some of what we have achieved and give thanks to you all for being part of our journey and success. It was just over a year ago that we launched our directory. It is the first of its kind in the world.  It’s a place where MENA+ professionals who work in the UK live and recorded arts can upload their profiles for free.  It’s also a tool for anyone to find talent on and off-screen and stage. The directory is one of the key things we set out to achieve in the last twelve months. It’s a statement that we exist, that we are connected by a region, but also that our region holds a great diversity within it, and that we are still mainly forgotten by the wider arts sector.   A special thank you to those who have donated through our Just Giving page or as part of our Olive Scheme.  This money is vital to pay for our overheads so that we can focus on fundraising for our future projects. We have already had success from Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund and the Film and TV Charity.  Please think about giving here, so we can continue our work. A few pounds make a real difference. Everyone who works on the Steering Group donates their time to help make change happen.  A personal thanks from me to them. We will now be closed until the 10th of January. We will restart our newsletter, approve directory profiles and respond to your emails upon our return. From all of us at MENA Arts UK, have a happy, safe and peaceful holiday, Kerry Kyriacos Michael, Chair 
In the last 12 months we have had:
3 campaigns calling out lazy stereotypes
8 short films commissioned
22 Go Fund Me donors
24 townhalls and workshops
308 directory member sign ups
930 mailing list allies
1.6 million social media impressions
 
The Steering Group:
Laila Alj, Philip Arditti, Penny Babakhani, Sepy Baghaei, Jessie Bedrossian, Ramzi DeHani, Nadia Emam, Shireen Farkhoy, Laura Hanna, Lanna Joffrey, Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE,  Arian Nik & Lara Sawalha.
menaarts.uk      info@menaarts.uk
MENA ARTS UK, registered address 26 Crowndale Road, NW1 1TT.  Company number 12867593
 
MENA ARTS UK 

As we draw a line under this year, we wanted to take a moment to look back at some of what we have achieved and give thanks to you all for being part of our journey and success.

It was just over a year ago that we launched our directory. It is the first of its kind in the world. It’s a place where MENA+ professionals who work in the UK live and recorded arts can upload their profiles for free. It’s also a tool for anyone to find talent on and off-screen and stage.

The directory is one of the key things we set out to achieve in the last twelve months. It’s a statement that we exist, that we are connected by a region, but also that our region holds a great diversity within it, and that we are still mainly forgotten by the wider arts sector.

Everyone who works on the Steering Group donates their time to help make change happen. A personal thanks from me to them.

We will now be closed until the 10th of January. We will restart our newsletter, approve directory profiles and respond to your emails upon our return.

From all of us at MENA Arts UK, have a happy, safe and peaceful holiday,

Kerry Kyriacos Michael, Chair