Arab American Heritage Month: How museums can honor and celebrate

A black and white drawing depicting a crowd of Syrians in a city street. — “Syrian Colony, Washington Street” (New York, 1890-1920) b&w photoprint copy of drawing, by W. Bengough, in the Faris and Yamna Naff Arab American Collection, Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

The month of April is officially designated as Arab American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the millions of Arab Americans that contribute to the fabric of American society. Declared by President Biden in 2021, it is a month dedicated to recognizing the histories, traditions, and achievements of the Arab American community. Arab Americans have made significant contributions to American society in fields such as business, science, literature, art, and politics, enriching the nation’s cultural and economic landscape. By acknowledging and learning about their unique experiences, museum communities can better promote cultural exchange, and foster greater appreciation for the contributions of Arab Americans to our shared heritage. We invite you to join us in celebrating the expansive and dynamic history of this thriving and expanding community, not just during April but throughout the year.

Explore related resources from AAM:

Facilitating ‘Tough’ Conversations: A Case Study from the Evansville Museum by Karen Malone & the Community Relations Committee

A Global Education For All by Lizzy Martin, made freely available from Museum

Museum Diplomacy: How Cultural Institutions Shape Global Engagement, edited by Sarah E.K. Smith and Sascha Priewe (published by AAM Press/Rowman & Littlefield)

Every Museum is a Community Museum Defining and Prioritizing Communities – On-Demand Program in the AAM Member Resource Library. Panel includes Rima Zalghout, Librarian, Arab American National Museum.

The Power of Global Partnerships: The Value of Dialogue and Understanding Different Cultures by Khaled Khatib in Museum, exploring a partnership between the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul and the Palestinian Heritage Museum in East Jerusalem, which was part of the Museums Connect program, an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by the American Alliance of Museums.

Museum Studies As Soft Diplomacy: From Berkeley to Abu Dhabi by Marjorie Schwarzer in Museum, exploring teaching a museum studies course in the United Arab Emerites.

Articles and stories from across the museum field:

“Six Things to See at the Arab American National Museum” from Visit Detroit

“An Arab American heritage garden blooms on a Dearborn rooftop” from Outlier Media

“Qatari Collector and Curator Mohammed Al Thani Scours the Globe for Works That Leave Him Breathless” from Artnet

“Films That Resist the Erasure of Arab Identity” hosted at the Museum of the Moving Image” from Hyperallergic

“New Initiative Invites Museums to Borrow Work by Palestinian Artists” from Hyperallergic

“Arab American Heritage Celebrated In Temecula City Mural Project” from Patch

“Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame to induct Dr. Anan Ameri” – a Q&A with the founder of the Arab American National Museum in Detroit News

Additional resources from:

Alif Institute:

Hikayat: Arab American Stories is a partnership with StoryCorps to tell Arab-American stories.

Arab America:

Arab America is a media organization aiming to promote an accurate image of the Arab American community and the Arab world, offering updates on events, news, churches, mosques, cultural organizations, commerce, restaurants, grocery stores, and music.

Arab American Institute (AAI):

AAI Library

Arab American National Museum (AANM):

Resources include lesson plans, library & research materials, and Culture Boxes.

Arab Americans: History, Culture & Contributions, a book by Randa Kayyali (Arab American National Museum) that explores Arab American immigration, culture, and media stereotyping.

Arab American Digital Scrapbooks

Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC):

Arab American Heritage Guide for school districts to adopt and teach during Arab American Heritage Month

PBS:

Documentaries and programs that celebrate the diversity and history of Arab American communities.

San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE):

Guide to Observing National Arab American Heritage Month

Smithsonian Institute:

Arab American Heritage Month Spotlight collection

Smithsonian National Museum of American History:

Explore the Faris and Yamna Naff Arab American Collection, including this background on the oral histories and the collector, Dr. Alixa Naff.

TeachMideast:

This resource collection introduces students and educators to the history, culture, and stories of Arab Americans from the late 19th century to the present.

Inspiration for how you or your museum might get involved:

Get inspiration from other museums in April or throughout the year:

The Field Museum offers public programming, including a bilingual storytime session in Arabic and English, blending reading with a craft that celebrates Arab culture.
The Museum of the City of New York offers a free virtual workshop for grades 3-5 as part of the Hidden Voices of New York City series, where students will explore the stories of Arab American New Yorkers whose lives shape the city’s history and identity.
At the Arab American National Museum’s Community History Studio, participants recorded family stories, utilizing the studio to scan copies of photos and documents, record audio, and integrate their words and images into a digital video scrapbook.
The Smithsonian Institution and the Arab American National Museum offer researchers and the public access to Dr. Alixa Naff’s 1962 interviews on the experiences of Arab immigrants in the United States, now digitized for preservation.
Bowling Green State University’s Center for Archival Collections (CAC) and the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo (ICGT) collaborated on a public Community Scan Day, encouraging members of the Toledo community to bring their archival materials documenting the history of Northwest Ohio’s Muslim community.
Mohawk Valley Community College created a curated digital collection to celebrate Arab authors and their books through a curated collection of important titles in Arab American literature and thought.
The Alexandria Library (Virginia) celebrates the month by offering a book database featuring categories ranging from traditional recipes of Arab countries to recommendations for Arab American books, audiobooks, and more.

Did your museum honor or celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, or any time of year?

Consider sharing with the field by pitching an idea about your museum’s work with your community, how your museum worked internally on the initiative or program, or another relevant angle for museum professionals. We are always looking for posts that empower museum professionals to do their best work; speak to a wide breadth of museum types, sizes, and disciplines; and reveal new, surprising ideas and connections. Read the Editorial Guidelines and make your pitch.

About Arab American Heritage Month:

A Proclamation on Arab American Heritage Month, 2024 – The White House

On the historical significance of Women’s History Month:

“Arab American Heritage Month 2024“ from History