Al-Mada Association for Arts-Based Community Development

Founded in 2009, Al-Mada Association for Arts Based Community Development, is a Palestinian non-governmental organization that uses expressive arts therapies, specifically music therapy, and arts education to advance self expression, inclusion, healing, social justice and advocacy through our work with Palestine’s most vulnerable communities. Al-Mada staff have extensive training and professional experience in music, the arts and community development. Al-Mada utilizes what is known as “expressive arts therapy” in its work and interventions. Increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional psychological counseling and therapy interventions and used around the world in diverse contexts, this umbrella term defines a form of therapy that actively uses the creative arts, including but not limited to music, drama, movement and drawing/painting. It allows individuals or groups to examine the body, feelings, emotions and thought processes in an open and integrated way to encourage growth, development and healing with the support of a trained facilitator/counselor and can be used in psychology, education, organizational development and community work.