On 21 September “La Chaire de l’IMA” of the Arab World Institute in Paris honours visual artist Suha Shoman with the “Prix de la Chaire” award, for her creative achievements, cultural activities, and for founding and chairing Darat al Funun - The Khalid Shoman Foundation. 

Speakers at the award ceremony include Dr. Mojeb Al Zahrani, Director of the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris, H.R.H. Princess Wijdan Al-Hashemi, Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Society of Fine Arts, on the challenges of building cultural institutions, Professor Salwa Mikdadi, art historian, independent curator and associate professor at NYU Abu Dhabi, on the role of Arab women artists, Dr. Adila Laïdi-Hanieh, Director General of the Palestinian Museum, on Suha Shoman, her art and the pioneering role of Darat al Funun, and Architect Mr. Ayman Zuaiter, on Darat al Funun: Place and People. 

“La Chaire de l’IMA” was established by the Arab World Institute in Paris in 1991, and -following a 20-year interval- resumed its activities in 2017 with several initiatives that aim to develop cultural programs focussed on the Arab World. Events include talks and panel discussions that bring together researchers and specialists on Arab culture to discuss the revival and modernisation of Arab thought. Each activity is named after an Arab thinker or practitioner known for their active intellectual and cultural contribution to the development and enrichment of the dialogue between both sides of the Mediterranean. 

This year, it dedicates its program to honouring creative Arab women researchers, thinkers, and cultural practitioners. Suha Shoman receives the award in a session named after the Palestinian poet Fadwa Tuqan.