VAPA (Visual & Performing Arts Association)

VAPA is a non-profit organization registered in August 2009, with a mission to hold artistic and cultural activities aimed towards resolving social issues.

The idea of an association was perceived by the founders who are part of Lebanon’s active artistic scene and who, despite their past achievements, have struggled as performing and visual artists in a country where censorship takes over the freedom of expression and government support to artists is almost non-existent.

VAPA was first intended to, on one hand, provide network support and assistance to growing artists to help them promote their work, and on the other hand, improve the conditions of artists’ rights and freedom of speech in Lebanon.
During the planning process, it was evident, as it is to many who work with the civil society, that VAPA cannot work on the issues of artists neglecting the other sectors and actors in society. Therefore VAPA has adopted integrative and participative methods to resolve the problems in society by attempting to include local actors form different sectors in the planning, execution, and follow-up process of projects.

Following this reasoning, VAPA has decided to tackle social issues through art and culture instead of only solving problems related to art. It is upon this basis that VAPA has been built and operates to fulfill their mission.