Replace camera equipment at Dar Jacir in Bethlehem
This fundraiser has met its goal! Thank you! Story archive: Small-dollar request ($5-$20 per donor) – This fundraiser is to replace the camera equipment confiscated by Israel Occupation Forces at the Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art and Research in Bethlehem, Palestine.
In mid-May, Israeli occupation forces broke into and raided Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art & Research — the beloved and respected grass-roots independent artist-run initiative founded in Bethlehem in 2014 by Emily Jacir, Annemarie Jacir, and Yusuf Nasri Jacir, and currently co-directed by Emily Jacir and Aline Khoury. There was extensive damage throughout the historic 19th-century building. The offices were ransacked, and equipment was taken, including phones, a computer, hard drives, cameras, books, and more. Dar Jacir lost their Urban Farm when it was burnt to the ground during several fires that surrounded the house.
We are specifically fundraising to help them replace one Sony camera/lens/and accessories. This is being done in coordination with colleagues and friends at Dar Jacir. There is a separate fundraiser aimed at rebuilding Dar Jacir and their urban garden, as well as their campaign to donate to Gaza-based art/film institutions. Because the needs are great for many cultural/arts institutions in Palestine, it is difficult to prioritize a camera purchase and accessories. However, as photographers and an image-based community, we know the importance of camera equipment in most arts-based practices. Dar Jacir "is devoted to educational, cultural, and agricultural activities. It is an experimental learning hub for the Bethlehem community and beyond – a place to ask questions, exchange ideas, to dream and to grapple with our contemporary situation. Knowledge production and research are the key pillars behind Dar Jacir. Workshops, seminars and master classes are conducted to facilitate the circulation of creative and intellectual endeavors across a range of disciplines and media in particular art and cinema." (https://darjacir.com/About-Us) They also run a very important outreach program to children at the nearby Aida refugee camp.
Please join us in helping provide Dar Jacir and their arts community access to a camera again. The small-dollar request ($5-$20 per donor) for this fundraiser aims to specifically purchase one camera, lens, and necessary accessories (battery, bag, card, 2-year protection plan, etc.), plus shipping/insurance. If we don't meet the goal, we will be purchasing a used camera/lens. When the goal is met, the fundraiser will end as we do not want to divert donations to other worthy fundraisers to Palestine. We will accept larger donations, but the aim is to collectively participate from our community without causing financial harm to artists/photographers and supporters during a financially difficult pandemic. Thank you for considering helping Dar Jacir!
Purchase Goal: Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black (ILCE7M3/B) and Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS Interchangeable Full Frame Zoom Lens. 64 Gig card, extra battery, camera bag, 2-year protection plan, international shipping/insurance.
You can read more here about the raid on May 15th, 2020:
https://hyperallergic.com/646833/artist-emily-jacirs-bethlehem-arts-center-ransacked-by-israeli-army/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/dar-jacir-center-in-bethlehem-damaged
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_TSm9N6z5/
Information about me: I am an artist and US-based Photography professor. I personally know the founders of Dar Jacir and am working with them to coordinate this fundraiser. I will photograph the purchased equipment, the full expenses and update all the donors in regards to our final purchase. The fundraiser will not be extended beyond this goal of $4000. If we do not meet this goal, we will purchase used equipment. The goal is to send a camera and lens in good working condition, preferably a new one.