Beirut Art Center

Beirut Art Center began as an association in 2005, initiated by Sandra Dagher and Lamia Joreige with founding members Rabih Mroué, Bassam Kawahji and Maria Ousseimi, and opened its doors in 2009 in Jisr el Wati, off Corniche an-Nahr. It describes itself as a space dedicated to contemporary art that is open to all, a platform for emerging and established artists, local and international, where people come together to experience art, learn, debate and experiment.

Its programme spans exhibitions, learning initiatives for different ages and abilities, cinema, music, residencies, micro-commissions, a rooftop garden and a bookshop and library. Directors have included Lamia Joreige and Sandra Dagher (2009 to 2014), Marie Muracciole, the artistic co-directors Haig Aivazian and Ahmad Ghossein, and Reem Shadid; Ibrahim Nehme has led the centre since 2024. Through years of compounding crisis in Lebanon, BAC has framed its work as building lifelines of exchange and solidarity, locally, regionally and internationally.