OUR SUPPORTERS

Barjeel Art Foundation is an independent, UAE-based initiative established to manage, preserve and exhibit an extensive collection of Modern and Contemporary Arab Art. The foundation’s guiding principle is to contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region by building a prominent, publicly accessible art collection in the UAE. Part of this objective involves developing a public platform to foster critical dialogue around contemporary art practices with a focus on artists with Arab heritage internationally. The foundation strives to create an open-ended enquiry that responds to and conveys the nuances inherent to Arab histories beyond borders of culture and geography. By hosting in-house exhibitions, lending artwork to international forums, producing print and online publications, and fashioning interactive public programmes, the foundation strives to serve as an informative resource for contemporary art by Arab artists both locally and on the global stage. In addition to building an informative database of artists, the foundation is seeking to develop an educational programme that both understands and involves the local community. By establishing partnerships with arts and cultural institutions internationally, the foundation looks to create opportunities to encourage public awareness of the importance of art to the community.

The Sawiris Foundation was founded in April 2001 as a grant-making foundation. Set up with an endowment from the Sawiris family – which is made up of prominent members of the business world and the development community - it is one of the first family donor foundations dedicated to social development to be established in Egypt. In 2005, the Foundation was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Sawiris Foundation’s focus, mission and work have evolved from the collective thinking of like-minded individuals within the international development community. Mrs. Yousriya Loza Sawiris, founding chair of the Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE), and the late Dr. Ibrahim Shihata, Senior Vice-President and General Counsel of the World Bank, began the dialogue and thinking of how to shape the Foundation. They were further encouraged in their efforts by the collaboration of advocates such as Mrs. Mary Asaad, a community development expert, and the late Dr. John Gerhart, former President of the American University in Cairo (AUC). Dr. Shihata helped codify the Foundation’s by-laws and processes, and recruited the members of its Board of Trustees and the Foundation’s first Executive Director. All board members are leaders of Egyptian society and experts in their field.

Environmental Quality International (EQI) is an internationally acclaimed investment and consulting firm specialising in natural and cultural heritage conservation, and sustainable development. Since 1981 it has designed and implemented sundry landmark initiatives nationwide. Its Siwa Sustainable Development Initiative is a notable example of how the private sector can conserve a region’s cultural and natural heritage, build local economies, and pro t at the same time. EQI is the leading institution behind the development and implementation of the Revival of the Egyptian Museum Initiative. The company has been privately funding some of the soft costs associated with the implementation of the Initiative, as well as the organization of public events.