The Markaz

The Markaz (literally "the center"), originally The Levantine Cultural Center, was a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles, which existed from 2001 until 2020. It offered artistic and educational programs focusing on the Middle East and North Africa, with classes and workshops for ethnic communities.

For other uses, see Markaz (disambiguation).
The Levantine Cultural Center

History

The center was founded in 2001 by a group of activists, artists and business professionals. Its original name was Levantine Cultural Center, but it changed its name to The Markaz at the end of June 2015.[1] It presented artistic, educational, and outreach programs related to the Middle East and North Africa regions.

The organization lost 501(c)(3) status on April 15, 2014, for failing to file Form 990s for three consecutive years.[2]

The center was closed in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the organization instead founded an online journal, The Markaz Review.[3]

Activities

The center produced or cosponsored artistic programs encouraging cross-cultural and multidisciplinary collaborations, and collaborates with the multi-faith Pico Union Project.[4]

Authors, artists and producers have collaborated with the center.[5][6] Other activities included open evenings about Islam.[7]

References
  1. "History of the Markaz". themarkaz.org. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  2. "Automatic Revocation of Exemption Information". irs.gov. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  3. Miranda, Carolina A. (26 May 2020). "The Markaz is closing, but the Middle East arts center will return as an online publication". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  4. Torok, Ryan (18 October 2018). "Returning Home: Pico Union Project Bears Fruit in Central L.A." Jewish Journal. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  5. "Israel, Palestine: One State, Two or a Third Way?". youtube.com. 2010-01-18. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  6. "Bridging America and the Middle East: Part 2". youtube.com. 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  7. Gordon, Eric A. (12 May 2016). "We asked a Muslim: Women's rights in Islam". People's World. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
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