UN-backed international centre for women in arts to open in Jordan

The “genius of women artists from around the world” will be the main focus of the United Nations-backed International Centre for Women Artists (ICWA), a museum and arts education project that will open in Jordan next year.

The centre, created under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will be located in Amman, the capital, and will be the first of its kind to have received the approval of all Member States from its inception.

The mission of the centre is “to promote peace through art by becoming a forum for intercultural dialogue, education and exchange in order to empower women and girls and preserve artistic and cultural traditions,” UNESCO said in a news release.

“It is our duty to help women artists,” said Hedva Ser, UNESCO Artist for Peace and one of the initiators of the project. “The museum and educational centre will be a unique gathering place for women artists, not just from the region, but from around the world, making it a place to learn, teach and encourage dialogue and free expression.”

According to UNESCO, the centre will host a permanent collection in Jordan, organize travelling exhibitions around the world and have a strong presence online by providing a wide range of teaching resources, interactive visits, conferences with artists in residence and a database and marketplace for women artists and their work.

As part of its launch, the ICWA is inviting graphic designers to take part in a design competition for its logo. A jury will award the overall winner a prize of $2,000 while two runner-ups will receive $500 each. Entries must be submitted by 31 January 2012.

UNESCO is also inviting governments, businesses, philanthropic organizations and individuals to help the centre by making tax-exempt donations to the ICWA Foundation.