https://www.theinternationalcorrespondent.com/p/saving-yolo-art-center
"The Yolo Art Center is more than just a building; it is a home away from home
for many. Comprising three floors, the Center includes a welcoming café on the
ground floor where social events like light shows, jam sessions, and karaoke
nights bring people together. The basement houses a stage for live events such
as stand-up comedy competitions and open talks. The first floor is a training
center offering workshops and therapy sessions, including drama therapy, family
constellation therapy, drawing therapy, and guitar classes. Established in May
2022, Yolo Art Center has provided a sanctuary where people can gather, express
themselves, and find solace in a shared cultural heritage. However, the Center
now faces imminent closure due to financial constraints and a lack of funding,
threatening to dismantle a vital support system for many in the community.
Bayan Agha, the co-founder of Yolo Art Center alongside Jihad Bakr, recently
shared with me how the Center has become a cornerstone for the Arab community
in Istanbul. “We started with a vision to create a safe, inclusive space where
people could meet, improve their talents, and find a sense of belonging,” Bayan
explained. “We’ve hosted over 400 events in two and a half years, impacting
countless lives.”
Despite its success, the Center has faced numerous challenges. The devastating
earthquake in Turkey in February 2023 forced the Center to halt activities for
over a month as it provided psychological support to the affected. Subsequent
political and social upheavals further strained the center's operations,
leading to additional closures. However, the most significant hurdle has been
the soaring inflation rates in Turkey, which have nearly tripled its operating
costs.
“We’ve always known that such projects take time to grow and become
self-sustaining,” Bayan said. “But the inflation this year was out of our
hands. We’ve exhausted our budget for the entire year in just five months.”
Despite their best efforts, including reaching out to various organizations and
embassies, the funding needed to keep Yolo Art Center afloat has not
materialized. The focus of available funds has been redirected towards
emergency causes in regions like Gaza, leaving little for ongoing projects in
Turkey.
To make matters even more difficult, the Center’s commitment to liberal and
pro-democracy values puts it at odds with the prevailing political climate. In
recent years, there has been a growing trend of financial support being
funneled to businesses and organizations that align with radical theocratic
ideologies. Those who conform to these views often receive substantial funding
from wealthy donors and international organizations, while those who champion
democracy and liberalism find themselves marginalized and financially strained.
For Bayan and Jihad, this means that despite their hard work and positive
impact on their community, they cannot secure the financial backing needed to
sustain their business. The founders now face an agonizing choice: compromise
their values for the sake of financial survival or risk closing down while
staying true to their principles. They have chosen the latter, deciding that
their commitment to democracy and liberal values is worth more than any
financial gain."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
