The Middle East Institute hosted a discussion about the growing impact and influence of the region's increasingly dynamic arts scene. The panelists discussed the transformational social and political role that artists are playing in their societies, as well as the challenges and opportunities that both artists and art platforms face as they seek to increase and enhance contemporary art and culture production in the Arab world.

Panelists: Sarah Abu Abdullah, Artist, Oussama Rifahi, Executive Director of the Arab Fund for Arts & Culture (AFAC), Stephen Stapleton, Founding Director, Edge of Arabia

Moderator: Kate Seelye, Senior Vice President, Middle East Institute