Representing diasporic artists in Britain: An independent review of MENA Arts UK (2020-2024)

Cover of the report titled ‘Representing diasporic artists in Britain: An independent review of MENA Arts UK (2020-2024)’, showing participants enjoying an event hosted by the organisation.

This report, which I co-authored with Reem Maghribi, records and evaluates the work of MENA Arts UK as a representative body for people of MENA (middle eastern and north African) heritage working in the British performing arts between 2020 and 2024. It explains the pause in MENA Arts’ activity in 2024, and draws out lessons for similar future initiatives representing diasporic artists.

Drawing on a comprehensive review of the organisation’s public materials, semi-structured interviews with 12 former steering group members, and a survey of its subscribers, the report assesses MENA Arts’ work against its threefold mission of profile-raising, capacity-building, and advocacy, among which it finds advocacy to be the least developed strand. It recommends that the organisation resume activity under clearer strategic priorities. Specific proposals include broadening artistic representation, expanding activity beyond London, avoiding the term ‘middle east’, excluding Israel as an interest holder, and choosing among three possible organisational models: service provider, membership-led body, or coalition of affinity groups.

You can download both the executive summary and the full report here.