Arab American National Museum facts for kids
| المتحف الوطني العربي الأمريكي | |
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| Established | May 5, 2005 |
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| Location | 13624 Michigan Ave Dearborn, MI 48126 |
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is a special place in Dearborn, Michigan. It helps people learn about the history, experiences, and amazing things Arab Americans have done. It opened in 2005. This museum is the first and largest in the world focused on Arab American history and culture. It is part of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS). It is also connected to the famous Smithsonian museums.
History of the Museum
The idea for the museum started in the 1980s. ACCESS, a community group, had a small arts and culture section. They soon opened a tiny museum in their main building. By the late 1990s, they wanted a bigger, separate museum. So, in 2000, they began raising money to build a new one.
After a difficult time for the community, people felt it was even more important to share their stories. They wanted to correct misunderstandings about Arab Americans. The museum opened its doors on May 5, 2005. It is located on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Building the museum cost $15 million. Most of this money came from donations. Big helpers included Chrysler, General Motors, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
In February 2019, Diana Abouali became the new director of the AANM.
What You Can See: Exhibits
The museum has two main floors of exhibits. The first floor shows the history and achievements of ancient Arab civilizations. You can learn about their contributions to science, medicine, math, and art.
The second floor focuses on the Arab experience in America. Here, you'll find displays about how Arab Americans came to the U.S. You can also see what their daily life and culture are like. There are exhibits about famous Arab Americans, like Ralph Nader and Helen Thomas. The museum displays old documents and items related to immigration. You can also listen to or watch videos of Arab Americans sharing their personal stories.
The AANM also has two large spaces for special, temporary art shows.
Art Collection
The museum has its own collection of art. This includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photos. These artworks are displayed throughout the museum. They show art from the Arab world and from Arab artists living in America. Many talented artists are featured in this collection.
Fun Programs and Events
The museum hosts many exciting programs and events. They help people connect, learn, and celebrate Arab American culture.
- MOVE is a special gathering for artists, activists, and scholars. It's a place for people from the Arab American community to meet and share ideas. The goal is to help people Mobilize, Organize, Vocalize, and Empower each other. They talk about important issues that affect Arab Americans.
- DIWAN: A Forum for the Arts is now part of MOVE. It brings together Arab American artists and thinkers. They have discussions and share their creative work. This event helps the museum be a place where community members and artists can connect. Famous writers and poets have presented at DIWAN.
- Global Fridays is a music program at the AANM. It features "World Music" from different cultures. You might hear anything from Mexican American music to Chinese classical and rock.
- Arab Film Festival is an annual event. It shows many Arab and Arab American films over a weekend. Sometimes, the festival honors the work of a specific filmmaker. For example, one festival celebrated the Egyptian director Youssef Chahine. The festival also shows short films, like Kemo Sabe. This film is about a six-year-old Arab-American boy who dreams of being a cowboy.
- The Arab American Book Award started in 2006. It celebrates and supports books about Arab Americans and their culture. The award encourages great books that help people understand the Arab American community. It aims to inspire authors, teach readers, and build respect for Arab American culture.
