In 2011 moussem.eu launched an initial four exchange productions by European artists with Arabic origins who were questioning the European canon.

moussem.eu is coordinated by the Moussem Nomadic Art Centre (BE). The partners in this project are: De Nieuw Amsterdam theatre company (NL), the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival (GB) and the Compagnie Nacera Belaza (FR), supported by the associated partners in Egypt (EG) and Morocco (MA).

The moussem.eu project aims to sustain the partners and artists in their contemporary European ambitions. In order to promote intercultural dialogue, emphasis should be placed on cooperation and the sharing of experiences and practices through:

• The development of an artistic platform of European artists with Arabic origins who examine critically today's and yesterday's canons to jointly establish a new canon.
• The exploration of whether there are non-European artists on the European arts scene.

moussem.eu seeks to expand the international movement of art and artists and intercultural dialogue by developing a common identity focusing on new and old migratory flows. The enlargement of the European Union, coupled with increasing mobility linked to economic factors, trade, leisure and globalization in general, have led to a more intense interaction between cultures, religions, ethnic groups and languages. Within this framework, the development of intercultural skills and the expansion of intercultural dialogue are essential. Since Member States deal with migration and cultural diversity in various ways, the capabilities of the partners will differ.

A documentary will be made and a book published on how artists and partners view diversity and identity. In 2012 European art houses will programme the various moussem.eu productions in order to help create an extensive network of art and artists with an Arabic background. For many of these artists, the European area is a tangible reality, although they don't always have access to cultural institutions and art schools. That's why moussem.eu, together with future partners, also takes the needs of non-European artists into account and explores ways to provide them with access to the European Area and regular art tuition. The long and extensive experience of the Amsterdam International Theatre School's De Nieuw Amsterdam is used as the foundation to achieve this end.