Program Description:
Join VISIONS OF AMERICA: All the Stories, People & Places as we highlight Arab Americans stories and communities through our episode Voices of Arab-American Experiences, Exploring the Arab American National Museum. VISIONS OF AMERICA is a collaboration between PBS Books and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that highlights cultural institutions and captures first-person experiences to celebrate the diverse tapestry of America, as we approach the American’s semiquincentennial.
IMLS Deputy Director Laura Huerta Migus talks with the Director of the Arab American National Museum Diana Abouali, Ph.D. about her important institution, its cultural and community significance, and some exciting museum projects. IMLS Acting Deputy Director of Library Services Anthony Smith discusses with librarian and scholar Kaoukab Cherbaro about her work, Arab American culture, heritage, and preservation, while highlighting her recent exhibit Science, Nature and Beauty: Harmony and Cosmological Perspectives in Islamic Science.
More to discover with Visions of America:
Discover more with Dr. Kaoukab Chebaro who has spent her career championing for the preservation of the individual history of Arabs across the globe. Her work within these institutions has brought first person storytelling center stage. Hear more about the important work being done to amplify the Arab American story through incredible archive efforts across the areas of math, science, poetry, language, culture and more.
Exhibits & Projects:
Arab American National Museum – Museum Website
Science, Nature and Beauty: Harmony and Cosmological Perspectives in Islamic Science – Exhibit Brochure, Learn More About the Exhibit
The Muslim World Project – Muslim World Project, What Can Manuscripts Teach Us?
Palestinian Oral History Archive – Archive
Islamic Science Exhibit Catalog – Exhibit Brochure, Learn More About the Exhibit
Sam Hamod, Poet – Dying With the Wrong Name, About Sam Hamod
Dunya Mikhail, Poet – About Dunya
Guest Biographies:
Diana Abouali – Director of the Arab American National Museum
Diana Abouali is the director of the Arab American National Museum (AANM). She has worked in higher education and in the museum and cultural heritage sectors in the United States, Palestine and Jordan. Diana joined ACCESS in 2019.
Kaoukab Chebaro – Head, Global Studies, Columbia University
Kaoukab Chebaro currently serves as the Head of Global Studies at the Columbia University Libraries. She previously served as Associate University Librarian for Archives and Special Collections at the Libraries of the American University of Beirut, and as the Islamic and Middle East Studies Librarian at the Columbia University Libraries.