Aesthetics of Solidarity

Aesthetics of Solidarity by Arab American and Arab/SWANA Diaspora Artists in the US, 1948–Present
Symposium Dates: April 9–12, 2025

How do Arab American and Arab diaspora artists in the United States use their artistic practice to show solidarity with those facing socio-political injustices in the US and around the world? Join the MSU Broad Art Museum, the MSU Muslim Studies Program, and the Association for Modern + Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran + Turkey (AMCA) to learn more about solidarity and Arab American art histories at this symposium featuring presentations by artists, art historians, and scholars from around the world.

Space is limited, so we encourage you to register in advance for this free symposium. You may register for individual events or the entire program.

View the full symposium program here.

Register to attend in person. This symposium will be held at both the MSU Broad Art Museum and the MSU Libraries. 

Register to attend virtually. Please note that all panels will use the same Zoom link, which you will receive upon registering.

Classes over 25 students are invited to join the panels via Zoom.

Aesthetics of Solidarity is the 2025 Association for Modern + Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran + Turkey (AMCA) conference and the 18th Annual Muslim Studies Program Faculty Symposium. The symposium was inspired by themes in the exhibition Nabil Kanso: Echoes of War, on view at the MSU Broad Art Museum from Feb. 15–Jun. 29, 2025. The exhibition Entangled Solidarities, on view at the MSU Libraries from Feb. 7–May 30, 2025, also explores similar themes.

This symposium is a partnership between the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University (MSU Broad Art Museum), the MSU Muslim Studies Program, and the Association for Modern + Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran + Turkey (AMCA), in collaboration with MSU Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities, MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context, The Nabil Kanso Estate, and the Arab American National Museum.

Aesthetics of Solidarity has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom. Additional support for this convening is provided by the MSU Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant, MSU Humanities & Arts Research Program (HARP), the MSU Dr. Delia Koo Faculty Endowment, MSU Diversity Research Network Launch Awards Program, MSU Muslim Studies Program, MSU Asian Studies Center, University of Michigan Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum (DISC), MSU College of Arts & Letters Ad-Hoc Funding Request, MSU Libraries, and MSU Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Image: Nabil Kanso, Birds of Prey from the series Kuwait, 1991. Courtesy The Nabil Kanso Estate