Overview:

is a non-profit institution dedicated to promoting contemporary Middle Eastern art, culture, and dialogue. The Foundation is built around three major axes: an art gallery, a residency center, and a public library. The institution has hosted international exhibitions, publications, and lectures, and has welcomed artists-in-residence from across the Middle East. The Foundation also runs visiting artist and curatorial programs, and provides resources for art historians and critics, in order to build a platform for the exchange of ideas that could benefit the region. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

1. Unique Location: The Shoman Foundation is located in Darat Al-Funun, the state of the art center for art and culture in Amman, Jordan. It is surrounded by lush gardens and offers stunning views of the city skyline. 2. Home to Art and Culture: Darat Al-Funun is the home of the Shoman Foundation's impressive collection of modern and contemporary Arab art, as well as ongoing artist programs, workshops and cultural activities. 3. Exceptional Facilities: The modern and well-maintained facilities at the Shoman Foundation include a partially covered courtyard, library, gallery, lecture hall and performance space. 4. Collection and Exhibitions: The Shoman Foundation's permanent collection is composed of works from local and international modern and contemporary Arab artists, and the facility offers a wide variety of exhibitions, events and workshops year-round. 5. Courtyard Café: The courtyard at Darat Al-Funun is home to the relaxed and inviting Courtyard Café, which serves up both traditional Jordanian fare, as well as a global range of dishes. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Shoman Foundation, otherwise known as Darat Al-Funun – The Khalid Shoman Foundation for Arab Culture, was established in 1989 by the late princess Wijdan al-Hashemi as a place for local and international art. It has since become a key part of Jordanian cultural life, particularly in and around the capital city of Amman. The foundation works to promote and preserve traditional Arab culture, especially within the visual and performing arts. The Foundation's mission is to promote Arab culture through exhibitions, art festivals, workshops, and theater and film screenings. The foundation recognizes the importance of documenting and preserving cultural heritage, and has set up numerous initiatives such as an annual forum for Arab authors and an Arab Film Festival. In addition, Darat Al-Funun organizes a summer academy in cultural sciences that allows Arab youth to participate in cultural activities while learning about the region's history and its international culture. Since its establishment, Darat Al-Funun has exhibited artworks by local and international artists. These works span over a broad range of forms, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and prints. Notable exhibits include works by renowned artists such as Hassan Sharif, Barbara Helgason, Sophie Calle, and Mapplethorpe. The foundation also hosts an annual exhibition, Festival of Arab Arts, featuring artists from around the region. In addition to its events, Darat Al-Funun has made great strides in preserving cultural heritage both in and out of its facility. Within the foundation's premises, guests can view a permanent collection of artworks and archaeological objects, and photographs of artworks and manuscripts from other museums and archives. Outside, the Foundation has restored and preserved important sites in and around Amman. It has also organized a number of projects related to the conservation of cultural sites in Jordan, such as the restoration of buildings in the old city of Madaba. Darat Al-Funun continues to be a beacon in the promotion of Arab culture, as it strives to inform and enrich the diverse communities in Jordan and beyond. Through its initiatives and exhibitions, the Foundation furthers its mission of preserving and promoting Arab culture. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Shoman Foundation is an organization dedicated to promoting the art and culture of Jordan. The foundation was founded in 1990 by Suzan Shoman, the wife of businessman Mohamad Samir Shoman, with the main objective to be a regional leader in preserving and fostering the Arab and Jordanian cultural legacy. 2. The foundation is based in the historic house of Darat Al Funun in Amman, Jordan. This building was built in 1912 and served as the first residence of Jordanian Prime Minister Hussein bin Ali. 3. Darat Al Funun has been expanded with a library, an auditorium, galleries and residences for artists and scholars,making it a cultural hub in the city. 4. The Shoman Foundation has held numerous cultural events and educational activities in Darat Al Funun, including exhibitions, lectures, workshops and symposia. 5. The foundation has awarded over 150 scholarships to scholars and students from the Arab world, in a range of disciplines, including art, archaeology, music, and literature. 6. In 2017 Darat Al Funun opened its first permanent collection, which includes some 200 works of contemporary art from the Middle East and North Africa. 7. As part of its art projects, the Foundation has welcomed cultural and artistic initiatives from a number of countries, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt. 8. Darat Al Funun has also been open among all things to the public as a space to explore culture and art, offering free admission to art exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and symposiums. 9. This year, the Shoman Foundation has launched The Graduate School for Arab Heritage, which is the first of its kind in the region and dedicated to the preservation of Arab heritage. 10. The Shoman Foundation has recently expanded their work beyond the field of art and heritage, and is now actively working in the field of humanitarian and social development, carrying out projects in fields such as Education, Women Empowerment, and Youth Development. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.