Middle East Arts International (MEAI) is a nonprofit arts organization based in Seattle, Washington (USA). Founded in 1997, MEAI has hosted masters of Middle East dance and music in workshops and theatrical shows, including Hossam Ramzy of Egypt, Phaedra, Jajouka, Samara and Ghazal of New York City, Leila Gamal of Indiana, Maleeha and the Kahraman Near East Ensemble of Iowa, and Amir Thaleb of Argentina.
Now in its tenth year, MEAI has many exciting events planned for 2008 and beyond!
www.MiddleEastArts.org
Our mission: Middle East Arts International is dedicated to promoting excellence in Middle East-inspired dance and music and nurturing cross-cultural awareness by providing the Northwest community with unique access to nationally and internationally renowned artists. MEAI sponsors culturally and historically responsible workshops, hosts theatrical shows of the highest quality, and collaborates with other local endeavors to share knowledge with the larger community about the Middle East and build bridges across cultures.
VisionWe at Middle East Arts International believe that all people should have the opportunity to share in the joy of music and dance with people across cultures, and in doing so, experience humanity at its best.
ValuesIntellectual capital: We strive to continuously gather and information related to the history and development of Middle East-inspired dance and music and to share this information with community members through ongoing education, workshops and performances with locally and internationally renowned experts
Professionalism: We adhere to the code of ethics, conducting ourselves in a professional and moral manner, upholding the professionalism of Middle East-inspired dance and music through our conduct when performing and teaching, and producing and/or sponsoring events.
The Highest Standards: We align ourselves with the highest international standards, continuously reflecting and monitoring the quality of what we do and how we do it, always striving for excellence in Middle East-inspired dance and music.
Respect: We respect the origins of Middle East-inspired dance and music, the cultural roots, language and costuming. We strive to build respect for Middle East-inspired dance and music within the broader community by presenting professional performances or by conscientiously noting when the performer is an aspiring amateur. Also, we are committed to treating fellow dancers, musicians, community members, and patrons with respect and dignity, respecting the origins of Middle East-inspired dance and music.
Commitment: We are committed to the enhancement of Middle East-inspired dance and music, and to the Middle East Arts International mission and vision: This involves ongoing communication with fellow members, dancers, musicians, community members, organizations and affiliations. This also involves growing MEAI, its funding, affiliations, visibility, and its data base.
Social responsibility: We strive to educate fellow members and the public about the origins, history and purpose of Middle East-inspired dance and music, to promote and protect the cultural and artistic elements of these art forms, to offer our support and commitment to various charities through dance and music, and to actively seek out organizations/groups to assist. We believe in transparency, inclusion, and fairness, providing ongoing feedback regarding the association, involvement and co-operation of all members, feedback and developmental awareness for all members, respect and acknowledgement of each persons level and standard through fair, valid and relevant assessment processes
What is Middle East-inspired dance and music?
While Middle East Arts International is primarily focused on dance and music rooted in countries generally accepted as the “Middle East,” these art forms have absorbed other influences as they have traveled through time and geography. Middle East-inspired dance and music encompasses not only Arabic and Persian classical music, raks sharki (belly dance), Moroccan rai and Egyptian pop; it also includes American Tribal Belly Dance, music and dance of Greece, and touches the borders of flamenco, bhangra and more. By providing diverse programming, MEAI strives to bring an experience of dance and music to the broader community that is as vast and intricate as the region that inspired these art forms.
