The Year 2023 in Review

“I wanted to say thank you for bringing me onto Al-Bustan’s Summer Camp this year. I felt so supported and surrounded with such a warmth by everyone but especially the two of you. I wish I had an organization like Al-Bustan near me growing up.”

—Teaching artist in Al-Bustan’s Youth Summer Camp, 2023

The year 2023 may be considered the first in Al-Bustan’s next stage of growth. Guided by a tailored strategic plan and by consolidated knowhow and confidence in perseverance, the outgoing year was one in which we realized our new imperative to deepen our impact locally as we grow our renown beyond Philadelphia.

As we see it, we work in three domains—arts presentations, arts education, and arts propelled or accented civic engagement. Our arts presentations—movie screenings, fine art exhibitions, literary events, musical performances, and more—attracted over 600 people. Such presentations were curated by three accomplished Arab practitioners and showcased works by artists from a variety of backgrounds, including many Philadelphians and select non-Arab artist whose work underscored the influence of Arab arts globally and cultural connections long forged between peoples.

In 2023, our professional teaching artists instructed and mentored in SWANA percussion and visual art to 175 students in five elementary and middle schools in Center City, West, North, and in South Philadelphia. Furthermore, Al-Bustan enrolled 87 adult students of varied backgrounds in Arabic and dabke courses. Otherwise, we enrolled 32 kids aged 5-14 years old in our flagship Art & Culture Summer Camp, including 17 need-based scholarship recipients. Summer campers were immersed in the wonders of rivers, landscapes, geography, and art from Egypt, Sudan, and other countries in the region. They explored the Arabic language, embraced rhythmic beats of percussion, and were introduced to drama and storytelling all by 6 talented teaching artists, upon the stupendous grounds of Bartram’s Garden.

Left to right: Henna activity during 2023 Camp, School Arab Arts at the Moffet Winter Concert, Swings at Bartram’s Garden during 2023 Camp

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture has undertaken civic engagement and advocacy efforts on the national level, work led by the National Network for Arab American Communities and Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services. We were able to collect over 500 public comments to distinguish the MENA category on all federal data collection instruments, including the Census. We also have collaborated with the Translation Services Department in the Office of Immigrant Affairs , to conduct focus groups with local Arab communities to enhance translation services in Philadelphia.

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture was honored to receive 2023 Welcoming Philadelphia Award from the Office of Immigrant Affairs in the City of Philadelphia, in recognition of our work. During this year, we have served over 420 Arab Philadelphians, including immigrants, through our civic engagement and outreach work. We have engaged with communities coming from 12 different Arab countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. We have moreover implemented direct assistance initiatives, such as back-to-school, a backpack and school supplies giveaway, a women & health community session, 217 grocery gift cards, 40 winter coat purchase gift cards, and ELL education and digital literacy support for immigrants in West Philly. Relatedly, in 2023, we have published 26 articles on Al-Bustan News Service, currently led by Editor Heather Tenzer. Authored by 6 writers, including 4 media fellows, these stories have covered Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) cultural life in Greater Philadelphia.

Left to right: A Night with Jerusalem Hakawatiyyehs, Receiving the 2023 Philadelphia Welcoming Awards, Arabic translation focus groups with the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Hikayat 3Tawla Game Night & Reception

Dr. Mohannad Ghawanmeh, Executive Director

The above work and its entailed accomplishments could not be possible were it not for the unwavering commitment of our distinguished board of directors and our stellar staff, nor without standout contributions from teaching, performing, and presenting artists along with interns, volunteers, and other contributors. Al-Bustan, moreover, achieved what it did in 2023 thanks to exceptional support from our funders, public, private, and governmental foundations, funds, and collectives— Asian Americans United; American Online Giving Foundation, Inc.; Blossom Hill Foundation; Center for Arab American Philanthropy; the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy; the Ford Foundation; Independence Foundation; Independence Public Media Foundation; the National Network for Arab American Communities; Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage; the Philadelphia Cultural Fund; Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures; Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial; the Samuel F. Fels Fund; and the William Penn Foundation.

Abundant gratitude is due to the above funders, as well as to individual donors whose support has long sustained Al-Bustan with care and commitment. Accordingly, we promise to continue growing and serving in 2024. We wish you a safe and splendid New Year and look forward to connecting with you in the one coming.