Arab American National Museum
The Arab American National Museum (AANM), which opened in 2005, is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the Museum seeks to dispel misconceptions about Arab Americans and other minorities.
The museum features two permanent exhibits. The first floor features the contributions of the Arab civilization to science, medicine, mathematics, architecture, and the decorative arts. The second floor focuses on the Arab experience in America, including a gallery about prominent Arab-Americans such as Ralph Nader and Helen Thomas and displays of documents and artifacts from Arab Americans related to immigration and the immigration process. The AANM also includes two large gallery spaces for the exhibiting of art. The Museum's inaugural exhibition In/Visible featured a number of noteworthy Arab-American and Arab artists including Emily Jacir, John Halaka, Athir Shayota, Helen Zughaib, Rheim Alkadhi, Abdelali Dahrouch, Sumayyah Samaha, Mariam Ghani and Doris Bittar and was curated by Salwa Mikdadi.
Construction of the museum cost $15 million. Donors included Chrysler, General Motors, the Rockefeller Foundation, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The museum is also a part of the Smithsonian Affiliations.
Read more about Arab American National Museum: Arab American National Museum Mission Statement, Programs and Events At The AANM
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