MAP is a creative consulting and talent agency representing top artists and media professionals from conflict-affected areas and diasporas
Project Description
About Us
MAP is a talent agency representing top media and arts professionals from conflict zones and diaspora communities. We train and consult on the strategic application of media and arts for transformational social change.
We work in three key ways:
Our network includes 250+ media and arts professionals from 35 different countries. Some have been forcibly displaced to locations in Europe or North America, though over half still live in their countries of origin. MAP currently offers this service primarily in the U.S. market, and we have aspirations of expanding to additional locales once we are more established.
Based in Washington, DC, MAP is a social enterprise structured as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with a conscience.
Why MAP? Why Now?
Every day from 2005 to 2011, Honey Al Sayed would greet Syrians over the radio during her 3-hour live show, “Good Morning, Syria.” Along with her 7 million listeners, she worked to respond to the needs of a population thirsty for change. and was soon titled the “Oprah of Syria.” Her radio show shaped attitudes and behaviors in measurable and meaningful ways. When the regime and opposing factions cracked down in 2012, she lost everything to war.
Today, there are 68.7 million people who have been forced from their homes as a result of violent conflict and climate change (UNHCR). This is the largest number of displaced people in all of human history. Homes aren’t all that is lost, so too is the cultural heartbeat of these places and the jobs and livelihoods that support it.
We started MAP because displacement is not just Honey’s story, it is the story of thousands of artists and media professionals around the world who risk their lives every day to defend freedom of expression and to spark socio-political change.
This untapped pool of talent are keepers of culture almost-lost, entertainment, humor, pop culture, the classics. MAP was created to help them reconcile their lives by rebuilding their careers and economic livelihoods, and promoting their culture as a means of change. All the while, MAP is part of a broader movement for fresh, inclusive narratives that dissolve hate.
Our Big Goal
MAP wants to be the largest professional talent agency representing artists from conflict-affected countries and refugee communities.
What We Plan to Do with the Money: Grow MAP
Since we launched the social enterprise in October 2018, we have added 250 artists to our network, 11 new and recurring clients, 10+ new partners, but the need is huge, and we have so much more to do.
MAP will put the funding from this campaign to do 3 key things:
- Represent an additional 25 media and arts professionals by build relationships with the venues, galleries, exhibition spaces, and clients that want their services
- Triple the number of schools, universities, and institutions where we teach and train by investing in the technology and legal support to make this scale
- Better measure our social impact by establishing a long-term evaluation process, data collection, and analysis
Why We Need You!
By supporting MAP through our campaign, you'll not only be helping us grow MAP, you are also contributing to iFundWomen's mission to empower female entrepreneurs by reinvesting 20% of revenue from campaign fees back into the top performing campaigns (of which MAP has the chance to be one!).
By purchasing any of the artistic works here, you are both supporting MAP and the economic well-being of artists from conflict-affected places and diaspora groups.
Crowdfunding is all about reaching the largest number of people we can. If you don't feel that you are in a position to contribute financially, we'd love if you could share this with even 1-3 people - word of mouth, through social media, over email, carrier pigeon - whatever you fancy!
Don't know what to say about us? Check out the Press Release on our blog for some suggestions.
Updates
The Project FAQs
Q1: Will my contribution be tax deductible?
No, if you participate in our campaign, you are essentially purchasing goods or services from MAP, so these activities are not tax deductible in the U.S. This may be different in other countries.
MAP is part of a new wave in the social change sector that favors market-based solutions to address some of our world’s most pressing challenges. We are structured as a social enterprise but are taxed as a company, so as a result, we see you as valued customers and stakeholders, not donors giving to charity.
Q2: How will my payment be processed and get to MAP?
When you choose a reward, you will be prompted to pay through PayPal. Payments can be sent from any of the countries on PayPal's list linked here. In the process, PayPal and iFundWomen take a small portion (amounting to 7% total) since we are using their platform and to support their reinvestment in successful campaigns. The money then gets deposited into MAP's PayPal account, and voila!
Q3: I love what MAP is doing and I'd just like to donate directly to you to avoid any fees being taken out. Can I do that?
We highly encourage all contributions to go through the iFundWomen platform so that your important contribution is reflected in helping us meet our overall goal of $40K in 40 days. This is worth more to us in publicity than the fraction of fees that we plan to incur.
Q4: How quickly will I receive the rewards that I purchased?
Any of the artwork purchased will be shipped during the month of November, regardless of your date of purchase, and should be available to you between 1-2 weeks from the ship date depending on your location. MAP will keep you updated on the status of shipping once the campaign has ended.
Other items such as T-shirts and thank-you's will likely happen quicker and on a rolling basis from when the reward was purchased.
Q5: Can I work with you?
Let’s chat! Get in touch with us through our website: https://www.mediaartspeace.com/contact.html
Q6: How can I join the MAP newsletter?
We're so glad you asked! Please visit https://www.mediaartspeace.com/mapnewsletter.html to sign up for quarterly updates about MAP.
Every little bit helps, and no contribution is too small
Shout out! Personal thank you card from the founders
Individual public thank you in front of our 18K social media followers
Rep MAP with a stylish new company T-shirt
Political, edgy, and and pushing the boundaries: A limited-edition print of a political cartoon by MAP artist, Hani Abbas, from Syria. Dimensions vary by the shape of the print you choose.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
A change in perspective: High-quality print of MAP artist Manaf Azzam's recent photograph series reflecting on a view from the grave.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
5 minutes of fame! Co-host the inaugual episode of MAP's new podcast
Elegant, storied, woven necklace made by one of MAP's artists Yasmine Dabbous from Lebanon. Each necklace comes with a thoroughly researched story about the materials used to make your one-of-a-kind piece and the significance behind them.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
One-of-a-kind acryllic and collage on canvas works by MAP artist Etab Hrieb about home, memory, Syria, and hope.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
Rewards
Every little bit helps, and no contribution is too small
Shout out! Personal thank you card from the founders
Individual public thank you in front of our 18K social media followers
Rep MAP with a stylish new company T-shirt
Political, edgy, and and pushing the boundaries: A limited-edition print of a political cartoon by MAP artist, Hani Abbas, from Syria. Dimensions vary by the shape of the print you choose.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
A change in perspective: High-quality print of MAP artist Manaf Azzam's recent photograph series reflecting on a view from the grave.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
5 minutes of fame! Co-host the inaugual episode of MAP's new podcast
Elegant, storied, woven necklace made by one of MAP's artists Yasmine Dabbous from Lebanon. Each necklace comes with a thoroughly researched story about the materials used to make your one-of-a-kind piece and the significance behind them.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.
One-of-a-kind acryllic and collage on canvas works by MAP artist Etab Hrieb about home, memory, Syria, and hope.
Artists receive a pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. Price includes sales tax, shipping, and handling.