AJYAL: A Programme to Support Arts Education
Academic Year of 2026-2027 | Eighth Edition
AJYAL: A Programme to Support Arts Education aims to enable young Syrians to pursue academic studies across various fields of the arts by covering the costs of their studies in full or in part. The Programme is committed to continuing its support for beneficiaries residing in Syria until they complete their studies.
AJYAL is based on a set of principles, foremost among them: developing the skills of the new generation of artists and arts students, fostering openness to diverse forms of artistic expression, and creating channels of communication between younger and earlier generations.
In this edition, Ettijahat received 86 applications, of which 76 met the eligibility criteria for assessment. The academic and professional backgrounds of applicants spanned a wide range of artistic fields, most notably acting and dance (35%), film directing and scenography (25%),, music (20%), and sculpture and design (20%), among others.
Beneficiaries
Bahaa Fayez Tarboush | Fourth-year student at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Department of Theatre Studies, Damascus
Bahaa has gained experience in directing, dramaturgy and cinema through various training workshops and his work on theatre and film projects. He has helped establish and develop creative initiatives spanning directing, playwriting and collaboration with artistic groups. He seeks to expand his expressive toolkit and develop an artistic practice that brings together theatre and cinema.
Ghady Issa | Third-year student at the Higher Institute of Music, Department of Piano Performance, Damascus
Ghady began studying the piano in childhood and has since gained experience as a soloist and ensemble musician. He is also involved with the Urjwan Choir and several youth-led musical initiatives. He seeks to advance his academic and artistic practice and establish a stronger presence in musical performance and cultural projects.
Jad Al-Kareem Tatou | Third-year student at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Engraving and Printmaking, Damascus University
A fine artist whose work draws inspiration from Syrian folk traditions and intangible cultural heritage, Jad has participated in group exhibitions and various art workshops. He also founded a printmaking and art studio to support young artists. He seeks to develop his visual language by combining heritage with artistic experimentation.
Joudy Saleh | First-year MA student at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture, Damascus University
Joudy is a visual artist interested in exploring the psychological effects of human experiences and how they shape memory and identity through sculpture, painting and collage. She is also a clarinettist and a member of the ShaMari Choir. She seeks to develop an artistic language that brings together visual and musical expression.
Mariam Ali Saleh | Second-year student at the Higher Institute of Cinematic Arts, Department of Film Directing, Damascus
Mariam is a film student and director who combines her training in film directing with her studies at the Faculty of Medicine at Damascus University. Her background also spans music and literature: she has studied guitar and piano and participated in film and theatre workshops. She seeks to draw on her passion for different art forms to develop her cinematic vision and create expressive worlds that reflect her interest in human experience and culture.
Omar Abu Dakka | Second-year student at the Higher Institute of Music, Department of Music Theory, Damascus
Omar studies music theory at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus while pursuing a degree in medicine at Damascus University. He began his musical journey with the piano and violin and is interested in music analysis and teaching. He seeks to develop his academic knowledge and artistic skills in music.
Ragheed Louay Alyagshi | Fourth-year student at the Higher Institute of Music, Department of Music, Damascus
Ragheed is a percussionist and a member of several Syrian musical ensembles and orchestras, including the Sham Percussion Orchestra, the Syrian Youth Orchestra, Orchestra Orpheus, Art Star and the Dixieland Orchestra. He has participated in musical projects with several prominent musicians and seeks to strengthen his skills in percussion performance and ensemble playing.
Rasha Waheed Kaheel | Fourth-year student at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Department of Scenography, Damascus
Rasha studies scenography at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts and graphic design at the Faculty of Fine Arts, combining academic study with practical experience in the visual arts. She has contributed to theatre and drama productions and taught drawing courses for children. She seeks to deepen her engagement with scenography and visual design through projects that bring together art and education.
Silvana Issa | Second-year student at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Department of Theatre Studies, Damascus
Alongside her artistic studies, Silvana has professional experience in hospitality, marketing and public relations. She has worked in the tourism and service sectors and participated in various research and professional projects. She seeks to pursue her interest in theatre by integrating her professional background into her academic and creative pursuits.
Yaqoub Yousef Al-Jader | Fifth-year student at the Higher Institute of Music, Department of Qanun Performance, Damascus
Yaqoub began studying the qanun in childhood and continued his training under several specialised teachers before enrolling at the Higher Institute of Music. He has performed with Syrian ensembles and orchestras at the Damascus Opera House and at various cultural events. He seeks to build on his experience in playing Arabic musical instruments and performing traditional music.
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee convened during the first week of August 2026 to review all eligible applications and select the beneficiaries of the eighth edition of the Programme, according to criteria including applicants’ educational and artistic backgrounds, academic and personal achievements, the connection between their educational background and chosen field of study, and their interest in continuing to work in the arts after graduation.
The Committee comprised Osama Ghanam, Theatre Director, Playwright, and Dramaturg; Lucy Maqsoud, Visual Artist and Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Applied Arts, University of Aleppo; Nagham Maala, Dancer, Choreographer, and Dance Trainer; Mohammad Othman, Musician and Professor of Oud and Buzuq at the Higher Institute of Music, Damascus; and Liwaa Yazji, Theatre Director, Playwright, and Screenwriter.
In reviewing the applications, the Committee reflected on a number of observations and recommendations, the main points of which are presented in the following statement.
Selection Committee Statement
The Selection Committee has concluded its assessment of applications for the eighth edition of AJYAL: A Programme to Support Arts Education. The Committee reviewed a wide range of applications reflecting students’ determination to continue their artistic and academic journeys despite the challenges they face. The applications varied in strength: some demonstrated clarity of vision and maturity of approach, while others required further development. Nevertheless, all expressed a genuine commitment to learning and a firm belief in the importance of the arts.
The submitted projects explored themes related to war and its psychological and social effects, identity, and the preservation and contemporary reinterpretation of heritage. They also reflected a growing interest in the role of the arts within communities and in issues affecting women and children. Many applicants further expressed a desire to refine their artistic toolkits, forge independent career paths and help enrich the Syrian cultural landscape.
The applications spanned a diverse range of artistic disciplines, with theatre and cinema featuring prominently alongside music and the visual arts, while certain other disciplines were notably absent. The Committee also observed earnest efforts by several applicants to develop their artistic language by grounding their work in the local context and adopting contemporary creative approaches.
The Committee recognised the scale of the challenges facing arts students in Syria and the difficulties these create in completing their studies and being able to dedicate themselves to their artistic development. Despite these challenges, most applications demonstrated remarkable commitment by continuing their studies, balancing study and work, or engaging in community initiatives. These efforts reflected a genuine belief in the role of the arts in society. Although many submissions were of high quality, the Committee had to make fine distinctions between projects of comparable merit in accordance with the Programme’s criteria. The limited number of grants relative to the number of eligible applications made the selection process particularly difficult.
The Committee extends its warmest congratulations to the selected students and commends the dedication and commitment they have shown, as well as their clear desire to invest in their artistic and academic education. It also emphasises that the value of the grant extends beyond financial support: it provides an opportunity to continue their studies and explore new avenues for growth.
For those who were not selected in this edition, the Committee affirms that not receiving a grant in no way diminishes the value of their experience or potential. Many applications presented promising ideas worthy of further exploration and development. The Committee hopes that all applicants will continue their artistic and academic journeys, recognising that perseverance and sustained effort are fundamental to artistic growth and the advancement of the cultural landscape in Syria.
This edition of AJYAL is supported by Asylum Access, with additional support from the family of the late Syrian artist Rida Hus Hus.
