Palestinian Museum Adapts Mission Amid Conflict with Digital Shows and International Partnerships
After a four-month hiatus due to Israel's Gaza offensive in October 2023, the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, West Bank, has revamped its operations. It reopened in February 2024 with the exhibition "This is Not an Exhibition," displaying 335 pieces from 122 Palestinian artists, among them five who have passed away. To engage a worldwide audience, the museum introduced "Gaza Remains the Story," a complimentary digital exhibition featuring 35 works by artists from Gaza. Director General Amer Shomali highlighted swift advancements in technical aspects. Additionally, the museum is establishing international collaborations, such as "Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine" set for 2025 at V&A Dundee, while striving to sustain Palestinian culture amid a financial crisis caused by funding cuts.
Key facts
- The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, West Bank closed for four months after Israel's October 2023 Gaza offensive
- The museum reopened in February 2024 with "This is Not an Exhibition" featuring 335 works by 122 artists
- At least five artists featured in the exhibition have since been killed
- Digital exhibition "Gaza Remains the Story" was downloaded in 120 locations worldwide
- The museum faces financial crisis due to withdrawal of European and American funding
- Museum staff retrieve cultural items from bombed Gaza sites including from Rafah Museum
- "Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine" (2025) is on view at V&A Dundee in Scotland
- The museum was founded by Taawon nonprofit organization and opened in 2016
Entities
Artists
- Amer Shomali
- Sanle Yan
Institutions
- The Palestinian Museum
- Taawon
- The Art Newspaper
- V&A Dundee
- Rafah Museum
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Birzeit
- West Bank
- Gaza
- Scotland
- Dundee
- Europe
- Palestine
- Israel