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Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN)

Website:

www.ppan.ps/
Type:

Local Cultural Organization

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The Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN) is a cultural organization located in the West Bank comprising of several local performing arts centers and theaters. The group was founded by the A.M. Qattan Foundation and the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Culture and has received funding from several left-of-center foundations and foreign governments including Open Society Foundations (OSF) through its Foundation to Promote Open Society. The network has advocated in favor of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) and “cultural boycotts” against the State of Israel. 1 2 3

Background

The Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN) was formed in 2015 from roughly 12 local performing arts organizations in the West Bank and was registered with the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Interior in February 2015 as the Union of Palestinian Performing Arts Network. The founding groups of the network were the Al Kamandjati Association, Al-Harah Theatre, Ashtar for theatre productions and training, El – Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe, the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM), the Freedom Theatre, the Magnificat Institute, the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Palestinian Circus School, the Popular Art Centre (PAC), Theatre Day Productions (TDP), and Yes Theatre. 3

The PPAN was initially managed and funded by educational and cultural nonprofit A. M. Qattan Foundation which had been founded by Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan, a construction magnate who also held leadership roles in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) from the 1960s to 1990. The A.M. Qattan Foundation has also received funding from American organizations Including the Ford Foundation. 4

PPAN was initially a joint project of the A.M. Qattan Foundation and the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Culture developed to “contribute towards the development of a democratic and pluralistic society that respects human rights and enhances Palestinian national identity.” 3 2

Activities

The Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN) has published statements condemning cultural and performing arts organizations for collaborating with or performing in the State of Israel. 5 1 In 2018, the group condemned the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) bombing of Gaza-based Al-Mishal theater while the IDF later released a statement stating it was targeting a structure used by “…the Hamas terror organization’s interior security forces for military purposes.” 6 7

Funding

The Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN) has previously received funding from left-of-center organizations including George Soros’ Foundation to Promote Open Society (FPOS). Between 2018 and 2023, FPOS donates roughly $1.8 million in grants to PPAN for general support as well as to “support training and development that will promote rights, creative activism, and community empowerment among performing arts organizations in Palestine.” 8

Other funders include the European Union, which gave a €965,970 (roughly $1 million) grant to the founding members of PPAN; the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, which “pledged €4.8 million (roughly $5.2 million) in support for 2016-2020” and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. 2

References

  1. “Palestinian Artists Thank Latin American Colleagues for Supporting the Cultural Boycott of Israel.” Palestinian Performing Arts Network. April 19, 2018. Accessed October 25, 2024.  https://www.bdsmovement.net/news/palestinian-artists-thank-latin-american-colleagues-supporting-cultural-boycott-israel
  2. “European Funding for Palestinian ‘Cultural Resistance.’” NGO Monitor. April 26, 2018. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://ngo-monitor.org/reports/european-funding-palestinian-cultural-resistance/#iii.europeanfundedpalestinianculturalngos
  3. “Palestinian Performing Arts Network.” A.M. Qattan Foundation. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://qattanfoundation.org/en/qattan-9
  4.  “Co-funding Partners.” A.M. Qattan Foundation. Accessed March 5, 2023. http://qattanfoundation.org/en/qattan/partners/co-funding-partners
  5. “Palestinian Performing Arts Companies Urge Italian Festivals To Refuse Funds From Apartheid Israel.” Palestinian Performing Arts Network. September 7, 2022. Accessed October 25, 2024.  https://www.bdsmovement.net/news/palestinian-performing-arts-companies-urge-italian-festivals-refuse-funds-from-apartheid-israel
  6. [1] Balousha, Hazem and Holmes, Oliver. “’Our memories have vanished’: the Palestinian theatre destroyed in a bomb strike.” The Guardian. August 22, 2018. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/aug/22/our-memories-have-vanished-the-palestinian-theatre-destroyed-in-a-bomb-strike
  7. “Palestinian Performing Arts Network Statement on the destruction of the Said al-Mishal Cultural Center in Gaza.” AZ Theater. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://aztheatre.org.uk/gaza-drama-long-term-2/statement-on-destruction-of-al-mishal-centre-by-palestinian-performing-arts-network/
  8. “Palestinian Performing Arts Network.” Open Society Foundations. Query Conducted October 25, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=palestinian+performing+arts&grant_id=OR2018-43345
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