Funding is needed for Khamseen to continue and expand its groundbreaking work on Islamic art, above all to provide honoraria to its international contributors, translators, editors, coordinators, managers, and technology experts. The individuals working in these positions include undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, professors, curators, librarians, and other scholars at various career stages and located all around the world.
Our Story — A team at the University of Michigan, headed by Professor Christiane Gruber, launched Khamseen in August 2020, motivated by the teaching constraints caused by the COVID–19 pandemic.
Our Name — In Arab lands, khamseen is a strong and sometimes violent wind that brings seasonal change. We decided to ride the COVID “winds,” embracing and channeling its powerful currents. Our Arabic-script Khamseen logo includes the abstract design of a wind-catcher (badgir).
Our Reach — Our roster of talks and pedagogical materials, all produced by international experts in various languages, have been viewed across the globe more than a quarter of a million times in three years.
Our Commitment — Khamseen’s fundraising efforts form part of the University of Michigan’s Vision 2034, whose core commitments include supporting artistic innovation and public engagement in order to enrich society and build cultural bridges between peoples and communities.
Your Impact — Your support of Khamseen helps us produce and disseminate free and reliable scholarly resources on Islamic art and architecture for everyone to access, anywhere in the world.