Beyond the Frame
Art, Dialogue, and Community Voices
A Platform for Creative Expression and Dialogue
From 11 to 13 December 2025, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Jordan and MENA office in Amman hosted Beyond the Frame, a three-day art exhibition that brought together emerging artists, cultural practitioners, and members of diverse communities in a shared space for dialogue, reflection, and creative expression. Organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the exhibition positioned art as a meaningful tool for freedom of expression, social reflection, and community engagement.
The exhibition was conceived as more than a showcase of artworks. It was designed as a platform where creative voices could be amplified, stories could be shared, and dialogue could take shape across social and cultural lines. By opening its premises to the public, FNF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster open exchange, critical thinking, and inclusive participation through culture.
Institutional Support for Culture and Youth Creativity
Held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. the Minister of Culture, Mr. Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh, the exhibition sent a strong signal of institutional recognition for emerging talent and cultural initiatives led by young people. His attendance underscored the importance of investing in creative spaces that allow young artists to engage with society and contribute to public discourse in constructive and responsible ways.
During his tour of the exhibition, H.E. the Minister praised the high artistic standards demonstrated by the participating artists, emphasizing that art represents a form of soft power capable of influence and change. He noted that supporting creative youth is an investment in the future and highlighted the importance of providing safe spaces where perspectives can be expressed freely and respectfully.
Exploring Identity, Freedom, and Lived Experience
The exhibited works spanned expressive, abstract, and realistic schools, reflecting a wide range of artistic approaches and personal styles. Through painting and mixed media, the artists explored themes of freedom, identity, social transformation, and lived experience, translating individual reflections into collective narratives.
Visitors were encouraged to engage directly with the artworks and their creators. Rather than remaining passive observers, many took part in in-depth conversations around the meanings, emotions, and questions raised by the pieces. This interaction highlighted both the intellectual depth of the exhibition and the confidence of the artists in presenting human-centered narratives that resonate with broader social and humanitarian concerns.
Purpose and Methodology of the Project
Beyond the Frame was the outcome of a strategically designed capacity-building program aimed at strengthening creative skills, encouraging critical expression, and supporting participants in transforming personal experiences into artistic production. Over the course of eight days of intensive, guided training, participants produced a total of 128 artworks using diverse materials and techniques.
The training program was built on a methodology that prioritises creative thinking, experimentation, and peer exchange. It provided participants from different communities with the tools and guidance needed to refine their artistic practice while fostering a sense of confidence, ownership, and collaboration. The exhibition itself represented the culmination of this process, offering participants a professional space to present their work to a wider audience.
Building on Long-Term Cultural Engagement
This exhibition builds on a series of artistic and creative trainings conducted in October, as part of FNF Jordan’s broader youth empowerment and cultural engagement programming. Rather than focusing on one-off events, the Foundation’s approach emphasizes continuity, sustainability, and long-term impact, supporting creative initiatives that evolve over time and contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape.
By connecting training, production, and public presentation, Beyond the Frame demonstrated how cultural projects can move beyond symbolic visibility to create lasting opportunities for learning, exchange, and professional growth.
Voices from FNF Jordan
Commenting on the exhibition, Eng. Lilian Haddad, Refugee Projects Manager at FNF Jordan, highlighted that Beyond the Frame aligns with the Foundation’s mission to promote freedom of expression through innovative and inclusive tools that integrate art, culture, and civic participation. She noted that art is understood not merely as a product, but as a living space through which individuals can express their identities, values, and causes with honesty and depth.
Community Engagement and Public Activities
The exhibition attracted wide interest from youth, artists, and cultural enthusiasts, many of whom praised both the quality of the artworks and the professional organization of the event. Visitors emphasized the importance of community-centered cultural initiatives in revitalizing Amman’s cultural scene and creating spaces where dialogue and creativity can intersect.
On the second and third days, the exhibition expanded beyond the gallery setting through free public artistic activities designed to encourage broader participation and interaction. These activities aimed to strengthen community involvement and contribute to the formation of a sustainable creative nucleus that extends beyond the duration of the exhibition.
Art as a Shared Social Language
Beyond the Frame ultimately reaffirmed that art is not a luxury, but a shared social language through which aspirations, concerns, and hopes can be expressed and understood. By supporting initiatives that place creativity at the center of dialogue and engagement, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom continues to contribute to the expansion of open cultural spaces, enabling experimentation, exchange, and meaningful cultural influence within the community and beyond.
