Exploring Affinity Spaces: Insights from the 2023 MENATMA Convening

Abstract: This Note from the Field explores affinity spaces, focusing specifically on the MENATMA (Middle Eastern North African Theater Makers Alliance) Convening, an affinity space for MENA/SWANA artists and scholars. Held annually, the MENATMA Convening exemplifies three primary aspects of affinity groups: Community Care and Solidarity, Sustainability and Self-Preservation, and Inclusivity and Intersectionality. Through a detailed examination of three key livestreamed panels from the Fall 2023 Convening in San Francisco—“Sustainability and Self-Preservation: Palestinian Artists Speak Out,” “MENA Political Theatre at Home and in the Diaspora,” and “ Kunafa and Shay Live: Possibilities for Affinity Spaces with MENA/SWANA and LGBTQIA+ Artists”—we highlight the critical role of MENATMA in community-building, self-preservation, and inclusivity within the MENA artistic community. By emphasizing the significance of MENATMA as an affinity space, this Note underscores the broader potential for such spaces to foster meaningful dialogue and support across various contexts.