Trends in funding for international artist exchange between the United States and the Middle East

This thesis attempts to identify U.S. international funding trends of artist exchanges between the United States and the Middle East in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. By analyzing the Foundation Center's series of U.S. international grantmaking research publications and the U.S. Department of State's budgets for the relevant field, several notable trends have been observed. After the end of the Cold War, both government and private sector funding for exchange programs was sharply curtailed. In turn, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, government's interest has redirected to cultural diplomacy. In regard this, although figures appear to be at a modest level in dollar terms, the State Department have allocated increased budgets to cultural exchange programs, particularly those engaging with the Middle East. In contrast, foundations have remained reluctant to sponsor international arts and cultural exchange programs with the Middle Eastern countries. Based on research and case studies, this foundations' hesitation to support exchange programs can be explained by the current economic downturn and new regulations, which were established immediately after the terrorist's attacks.