Arab American National Museum Receives $200K Ford Foundation Grant

The announced Thursday that it has received a $200,000 grant from the Ford Foundation.

“This grant represents a major vote of confidence by an important funder,” says Dr. Anan Ameri, the museum’s founding director, in a press release. “Thanks to continuing support from the Ford Foundation, the AANM’s ability to fulfill its mission and serve its community has expanded significantly.”

The grant funding will go toward two projects–one, a new exhibit on a neighborhood of New York City; the other, an environmental project for youth in the U.S. and Jordan.

The exhibit will focus on "Little Syria," a neighborhood of early 20th century New York City, and is currently being developed by AANM curators and New Yorkers. "Little Syria" will serve as a traveling exhibition.

The Ford Foundation grant will also enable the museum to partner with the Children’s Museum Jordan in Amman, Jordan on a program called Watch Your Waste. Children from both countries will conduct research about the garbage their families generate, taking photographs and recording video in their hometowns in order to show how attitudes toward waste management have changed over time.

To learn more about the AANM, visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org.