Since its founding in 2003 as a NY-based arts collective specializing in Middle Eastern film programming, ArteEast has become a leading organization amplifying the arts related to the South West Asia North Africa (SWANA) region and its diaspora engaging with New York, U.S. and international audiences and arts communities.
Independently and through strategic partnerships, ArteEast delivers in-person and virtual programs such as film screenings, exhibitions, cultural events, and online publications. These serve as a bridge that facilitate the interaction of the public with artists, filmmakers, curators, and thought leaders whose work is rooted to the SWANA region.
CORE VALUES
Accessibility
We offer our programs at low or no cost, with virtual film platforms accessible worldwide. In presenting our programs, we prioritize the development and integration of access measures in collaboration with partners, guest curators, artists, filmmakers, and the public. Our film programs are presented in their original language and subtitled in English. Additionally, our recorded discussions are made accessible through closed captions. We strive to organize in-person programs in ADA compliant spaces.
Community
ArteEast envisions itself as a home for SWANA culture—open and welcoming to all—bringing people together through the arts and strengthening the fabric of our communities. We are committed to cultivating inclusive spaces—both physical and virtual—where artists, audiences, and communities feel seen, welcomed, and valued. Through our programs, partnerships, and platforms, we foster a sense of collective belonging rooted in care, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.
Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. While ArteEast centers the stories and experiences of the SWANA region, we believe in connecting across geographies, disciplines, and identities. Recognizing the broad range of voices within the SWANA world, we welcome dialogue with diverse communities and seek to foster partnerships that amplify artistic expression and cultural understanding.
Through collaborative networks of exchange, we work with organizations, institutions, and practitioners to build cultural infrastructures that support artists and provide audiences with thought provoking programs and meaningful dialogues. We work closely with invited curators, artists and thinkers to develop engaging programming that challenges the status quo.
Cross-Cultural Exchange
ArteEast is rooted in the belief that art is a powerful force to bridge cultural divides, fostering empathy, connection, and mutual understanding across cultures. Through our programs, we create spaces for meaningful dialogue—inviting artists and audiences to engage with the complexities of identity, history, and contemporary realities.
We are committed to the free and respectful exchange of ideas, sustaining open forums for learning and listening. By sharing a wide range of perspectives from within the SWANA community and beyond, we aim to cultivate a more compassionate, nuanced, and informed society.
Art as a Catalyst for Change
We believe in the transformative power of art to confront injustice, spark dialogue, and inspire collective action. Through film, visual art, performance, and interdisciplinary programs, we highlight works that expose systems of oppression, reclaim silenced histories, and envision more equitable futures.
We affirm storytelling as an act of resistance—one that challenges dominant narratives and counters cultural erasure. We uphold the freedom of artistic expression as essential to critical inquiry, healing, and meaningful social transformation.
Innovative Artistic Vision
Our programs are curated by leading artists, curators, and scholars to highlight groundbreaking work that offers cutting-edge, fresh, and unique perspectives. We champion experimentation and bold artistic practices that push the boundaries of content and form.
Supporting and Empowering Artists
ArteEast is dedicated to supporting artists across disciplines by providing the resources, visibility, and opportunities they need to develop and share their work. We offer a platform that empowers artists—particularly those whose voices and stories are often overlooked—to reclaim their narratives, express themselves freely, and engage new audiences.
We are especially committed to amplifying works rarely seen outside the SWANA region and beyond mainstream media, ensuring that a broader public can access and engage with these powerful artistic expressions.
Through curated programs, public platforms, and meaningful partnerships, we encourage artistic growth by creating pathways for experimentation, exchange, and sustained creative practice.
