Initiated in 2006, the BA Arts Center hosts mid-career artists, who are deeply involved in the visual arts, to reside for one month in Alexandria. Since then, 28 artists have benefited from the program, and produced 148 artworks, which were added to the BA art collection. Among those resident artists, were three Europeans. The program aims to promote exchange between artists, art students and volunteers and enhance dialogue and understanding. Through the Resident Artist Program, the Arts Center is seeking to develop partnerships with European entities to support mutual artistic exchange for the benefit of Egyptian artists, who do not have the opportunity to explore international artistic environments outside Egypt.
The Plaza Project was launched in April, 2008 offering grants to young filmmakers to produce short narrative films that take place on the outdoor plaza of the BA. The idea captured the imagination of many young artists; the Arts Center received twenty-eight scripts from which the winners were selected. Filmmakers have to shoot their films entirely on the external plaza of the Library of Alexandria. The idea is not limited to the Plaza as a location; it extends to the concept of “Plaza” in our daily life, since it is a place where different categories (age groups, cultural backgrounds, social classes) of the society meet, whether they be BA visitors or staff, students of the University of Alexandria (located across the road), or simply passersby crossing over from the Corniche Road to Port Said Street. In November 2009, the project produced three films by three filmmakers from Alexandria; Setta fi Tes'a (6x9), directed by Belal Hosni, 11 min; Ashya' Mushabeha (Resemblances), directed by Sherief Zohairy, 6 min; and Terahen? (You wanna bet?), directed by Mark Lotfy, 16 min. The second edition of the Plaza Project was announced in December 2009.
The BA devotes much effort to nurturing young talents that show promise in the different fields of plastic arts. It provides a rare opportunity for relatively unknown artists to make their debut exhibit appearances to the public through the First Time Exhibition, which is organized annually by the Arts Center. Receiving thousands of BA visitors from all over the globe, as well as those interested in Egyptian art, First Time Exhibition is a chance for young artists to showcase their talents and prove themselves on the contemporary Egyptian artistic arena. Artists are very well selected through a Committee for Visual Arts based on their artistic merit.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina's International Biennale for the Artist's Book, held by the Arts Center, exemplifies art as a means of communication and dialogue. The Biennale f has attained an international level among contemporary artists, critics and scholars of the artist book. Artists meet in Alexandria to present and create dialogue on the values and concepts of the artist’s book through which artistic, literary and philosophic expression merge. The Biennale also serves as a catalyst for the creativity of the artists who deal with intellectual texts in artistic ways. We are currently preparing for the fourth round due to take place in April 2010. The exhibition is preceded by a five day workshop. This particular workshop is marked by intense exchange of experience and vibrancy among participants with a considerable presence of art student volunteers whose close interaction with professional artists proved to be of extreme benefit to them.