Music and the Arts

Often, when schools face financial constraints, arts and music programs are the first things dropped. For many years, ANERA has partnered with the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, the premier music education institution in the West Bank, to help fill the void in music education. (A piece from a faculty concert is featured in the film on the homepage.)

Music and arts education are invaluable components of academic instruction. Creative expression has educational and psychological value for people of all ages, serving as a means through which people of varied languages and cultures can communicate and unite in their shared humanity.

The Conservatory’s academic program at its Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus and Jericho locations includes training on a western or Arab instrument and qualifies students to enter a university-level program. Reaching out to the community and the wider Middle East, the Conservatory engages in music curriculum development, teacher training, seasonal community concerts, the establishment of the first Palestinian national youth orchestra and the first regional Forum of Music Conservatories in the Arab World. ANERA provides assistance to support the institution’s long-term growth and expansion of its programs.

In 2007, ANERA also provided support for cultural activities at the National Christian Association, Yabous Productions, the Palestinian Art Court and the Arab Resource Center for the Popular Arts.