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Reflecting on a Transformative Partnership: Art to Heart and Drosos Foundation

Since 2019, Art to Heart (A2H) has been proud to partner with the Drosos Foundation. Their support has been central to our growth, standing with us through some of the most difficult times from the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 to the ongoing war in Gaza and the daily violence in the West Bank. With Drosos by our side, we have grown from a small pilot project into a recognized organization with local, regional, and international reach.

Building a Model of Change

Together with Drosos, we introduced a unique model in Palestine that merges art and disability. What started in 2020 with two rooms and eight participants has grown into a vibrant community hub in Nablus, complete with a garden and play area. Hundreds of children and young people both with and without disabilities now join our activities.

The two main projects funded by Drosos, Art Enables and Bridges, have been crucial in shifting perceptions around disability, particularly by working with schools and engaging the wider community.

Bridges Club: A Safe Space for Creativity

One of our most important milestones has been the creation of Bridges Club for persons with intellectual disabilities. Today, it remains the only safe and welcoming space of its kind in Nablus. The club is more than a program it is a gallery of creativity, where every wall tells a story through the artworks of our members. Their art sparks dialogue, inspires curiosity, and showcases the talents of people often left on the margins.

Expanding Our Reach

With Drosos’s support, our work has reached far beyond Palestine. Since 2022, our executive director has represented A2H at international platforms such as the Zero Project Conference in Vienna, the Access Abilities Expo in Dubai, and the Reel Palestine Market in the UAE. These opportunities strengthened our role across the MENA region and opened connections with partners in Europe and the USA.

We were also honored to be shortlisted for the Zero Project Award in 2022 and to present our model at the UN headquarters during the Zero Project Conference 2023.

Networking & Creating Pathways for Sustainability

Sustainability has been a key area where Drosos’s backing made a difference. Their support allowed us to produce high-quality, locally made art products that generate income while showcasing the creativity of our artists with disabilities. They also helped us provide mentorship programs, giving emerging artists the tools and skills to grow professionally.

At the same time, we expanded our regional presence. With the British Council in Jordan, we co-led a mapping exercise during Art for All Week 2021 and later helped design and manage the Masarat project on art and disability. This work led to Jordan’s first national summit and exhibition on arts and disability in 2024, where A2H’s model was shared with over 15 organizations.

In 2023, we also partnered with Sync Leadership and Shubbak Festival in London to launch the first cultural leadership training for eight emerging artists with disabilities from Palestine and Jordan. Four of these artists later participated in the Shubbak Festival in London an unforgettable moment for the region.

Looking Ahead

As the Bridges project closes in April 2025, A2H is entering a new chapter. The foundation built with Drosos has given us the tools to move forward with confidence: a three-year strategic framework, a sustainability model, and tailored disability inclusion curricula and policies. Despite the ongoing siege of Nablus and the challenges of war, our commitment remains strong.

In the coming years, we aim to:

  • Expand our programs locally and regionally.
  • Share the knowledge we have built over the past four years.
  • Strengthen sustainability through income-generating initiatives.
  • Inspire other cultural organizations to adopt inclusive practices.

A Renewed Vision

With a clear mission and a refreshed strategy, we are ready for the next stage of our journey. We will continue amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities in Palestine, using art as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and dignity.

With your support and dedication. We believe that through this renewed partnership, we can lead a movement of inclusive cultural work that will ripple across Palestine and beyond.

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