The Challenge and the Case for Support

By Jordan Elgrably, Susan Seely, Leili Davari, Mark Kanga

The Middle East and North Africa—a vast and diverse region whose populations are woefully under-served in the United States, and largely misunderstood—has never been more in the news than this year. Our cultures, our countries have attracted enormous international attention as a result of the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and beyond. Yet by and large, Americans continue to have few opportunities to learn about the Arab/Muslim world. Enormous barriers between east and west still exist.

support the Levantine Cultural Center as a member or donorNever has the demand for our programs and services been higher, yet in order to serve this need, the Levantine Cultural Center must grow and expand accordingly. We must become more adept at broadcasting our message, marketing our programs, reaching the communities that need us the most. Those communities are American, Middle Eastern, North African. They are Muslim, Jewish, Christian and secular. Indeed, every American who is concerned about U.S. foreign policy and how our tax dollars are expended has an interest in the work of the Levantine Cultural Center.

Our spring fund drive, March 10-30, 2011, has a relatively modest goal of $25,000. We need these funds to be able to keep bringing you the many enriching programs that have been available in Southern California for nearly 10 years, often free or low-cost.

It's a fact that out of 18,000 listed non-profit organizations in the greater Los Angeles area, ONLY ONE is solely dedicated to representing, programming and educating about the cultures of the Middle East. Since the summer of 2001, the Levantine Cultural Center has produced or cosponsored over 500 artistic or educational programs that encourage cross-cultural and multidisciplinary collaborations, and that give voice to the issues and experiences of underrepresented Middle Eastern communities.

Our mission is to bridge cultures and promote understanding and peace.

With your support for the LCC's arts and educational programs we will

● Champion a greater understanding of the Middle East and North Africa
● Present many more artistic and educational programs that bridge political and religious divides
● Bring together Arabs and Jews and others from cultures traditionally in conflict
● Produce/cosponsor programs that give voice to issues/experiences of underrepresented Middle Eastern communities
● Synthesize informative and alternative information on these communities for the American public and media
● Partner with community groups and artists that engage in cross-cultural initiatives
● Educate with countless arts and languages classes and workshops

The center has offered programs, classes and workshops for approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people per year since its founding nearly a decade ago. Over a million people have visited and engaged through our web site. Nonetheless, we're having a hard time keeping up in our current incarnation.

Capacity-Building
While it has been a rather spectacular presenting organization, offering programs throughout Los Angeles and Orange County at a pace of 50+ programs per year, the center is only able to present an average of one out of every four of its programs in our own 1,400-square-foot space. The center is akin to a one-room schoolhouse whose programming needs are far over-reaching our physical capacity.

By expanding from 1,400 square feet to a 6,000 square feet space, we will be able to serve 2,000 to 3,000 persons per month in our own facility as opposed to the 400 to 500 we are presently able to serve. We will become increasingly self-sustaining through programming revenue as opposed to relying on donations. Additionally, with a 6,000 square foot space, the center will provide to the community:

● A performance/screening/reading space of 3,000 square feet, serving up to 250 individuals per program, allowing us to present music, theatrical, film and literary events
● A gallery/library space of 1,000 square feet
● Individual classrooms (totaling 1,000 square feet) for smaller gatherings such as language classes, dance, art and writing workshops.

Levantine Center Goals 2011 - 2012
● Ensure adequate level of support for the our core programs
● Ensure adequate revenue to support the mission
● Increase public awareness of and participation in all of the LCC programs and offerings.

How You Can Help
The Levantine Cultural Center currently receives just 5% of its funding from state and local government grants, and 10% from foundation grants. Program revenue provides approximately 50%, while donor/member support comprises 40%.

While we consistently and successfully meet our programming needs with the support of volunteer staff and supporters, it is only through the generosity of our members and supporters that we are able to ensure continued programming in response to the needs of the communities both within and beyond the southern California area. We ask you for your support.