Dar Al-Ma'mûn is an international artist residency. Close to Marrakesh in Morocco, it emerged as a creative platform for intercultural exchange working to contribute to local economic development.

Dar Al-Ma'mûn also includes a research center in translation of ancient texts in Arabic and a library of over 15,000 books open to all. The “children’ s big top” invites children and teenagers to cultural educational activities led by local artists. Similarly, Dar Al-Ma'mûn offers throughout the year conferences on social themes and cultural events to educate audiences on contemporary creation in a will to openness.

Dar Al-Ma'mûn opens in September 2010 and will organize regular co-operations between artists in residency and local craftsmen. To systematize our offer to artists and craftsmen, we will build a foundry, which will quickly become the cornerstone of Dar Al-Ma'mûn. The artists will use it to create their works with Moroccan craftsmen but it will also allow these same people to develop their technique. French craftsmen will be invited in order to exchange with the Moroccans their technical skills.

> Partnerships within Morocco and throughout the Mediterranean basin:
Both on the contemporary art pole and the research center for translation, we will seal partnerships with Moroccan art schools and Universities to establish regular exchanges. Regarding the artists in residency, partnerships are particularly active in these areas: Marrakech Art Fair, Book Fair in Tangiers contemporary art galleries in Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca .... Other partnerships will aim to promote the artists in residency in international institutions established in the Mediterranean basin. Our goal is to support Morocco in becoming a major pole in Africa and
the Middle East.

A yearly cultural program:
Throughout the year, Dar Al-Ma'mûn will display a high level program in the fields of art, poetry, literature, philosophy and music with major cultural partnerships such as Marrakech Art Fair. Dar Al-Ma'mûn is both a place of production, diffusion and the organization of cultural events.

➢ Exhibitions: Throughout the year we will host four to five exhibitions, solo or group shows of artists in residency and guests with a theme in accordance with the residency and Moroccan current events. On the other hand, we will set up a network of partners that enable us to promote our residents throughout the Moroccan territory: cultural centres, galleries, museums, events.

➢ The conferency program: In September and several times a month, we will host authors, essayists, performers for readings, lectures and debates.

Identity of Dar Al-Ma'mûn
> Functionalities
Composed of art professionals, a jury will select three artists for stays residencies of three months:
At the same level another workshop will be dedicated to produce works outside of the residency support program.
The residency will provide artists with tools and equipment necessary for the creation of their works such as a factory workshop for woodworking.
During the artists' stay, we will implement studio visits for professionals.

A tool for sustainable development
The Ithaque guest houses total project, which includes Dar Al-Ma'mûn, is a social project where we believe that sharing cultures and skills, connecting people, involves a movement of “living together”. Dar Al-Ma'mûn defines its action on the intersection of education, alternative and joint economy and social development.

We will soon be broadcasting the first call for applications for the first session starting in October 2010.

Dar al-Ma'mûn
Founders: Redha Moali & Houria Afoufou
Directors: Julien Amicel and Carleen Hamon