AANM SURA Arts Academy Photography Course

posted on: Sep 8, 2014

Award-winning photography course now open to middle school students across metro Detroit

Annual student exhibition runs Sept. 13-Nov. 2 @ AANM

Dearborn, MI (August 28, 2014) – How do today’s young people view their families, friends and their neighborhoods? How can a camera help kids learn a new skill and see the community around them with a fresh perspective? How can the photographs of youths shatter stereotypes held by adults?

Explore these topics and more by viewing photographs and a documentary built from footage by middle school students from Detroit and Dearborn in the 2014 SURA Arts Academy Student Photography Exhibition. It opens Saturday, Sept. 13 and runs through Nov. 2 in the Lower Level Gallery at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn; it’s free with Museum admission.

The public is invited to a free opening reception 2-4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 20, featuring complimentary refreshments, a documentary premiere and live entertainment.

SURA Arts Academy – a 2008 winner of the prestigious Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities – helps local middle school students learn to interact with an increasingly diverse world. The program offers the use of a digital camera, professional instruction, field trips and discussions conducted in a safe, welcoming environment, during academic-year and summer-camp sessions.

In past years, SURA Arts Academy was based at middle schools in Detroit and Dearborn and was limited to students only from those specific schools. Beginning in Fall 2014, SURA Arts Academy classes will take place at the Arab American National Museum. Middle school students throughout metro Detroit are now invited to take part. Students will use the themes and content of AANM permanent and temporary exhibits while learning the basics of photography while having the opportunity to explore and experiment with other digital media.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Fall SURA program. To learn about enrolling your middle schooler in upcoming semesters of SURA Arts Academy, contact Wisal Samaha at 313.624.0219 or wsamaha@accesscommunity.org or visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org/SURA-Arts-Academy.id.438.htm.

SURA Arts Academy is made possible in part by the Hearst Foundations, and the Muna & Basem Hishmeh Foundation, Inc.

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The Arab American National Museum (AANM) documents, preserves and presents Arab American history, culture and contributions.

The AANM is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums; an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution; and a founding member of the Immigration and Civil Rights Network of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, Michigan, 48126. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $8 for adults; $4 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under and Museum Members, free.

Visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org or call 313.582.2266 for further information.
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