MACAM’s library and archives

As Lebanese Art Heritage is the primary focus of MACAM, the museum's library and archives play a crucial role in its operations.

The mission of the library is to revive the memory of art by curating, documenting, and preserving the rich heritage of Lebanon's art. Its aim is to prevent the loss or destruction of this valuable heritage and to promote research through its vast collection of art books.

The Library consists of the following: 

  • 2,000 books on Art in Lebanon

  • 800 books on Lebanese Artists

  • 700 books on Arab art and artists

  • 900 books on International Art

  • 600 magazines

The archives consist of the following: 

  • 350 Folders about Lebanese Artists 

  • 220 Folders about Galleries and Exhibition Spaces 

  • In addition to thousands of slides, photos and cassettes that are in the process of being classified   

MACAM's Archives can be accessed by museum staff, art curators, and scholarly researchers who hold a graduate-level qualification or above. To request access, please send an email including a brief summary of your research project, an outline of the sources you have already consulted, and your curriculum vitae or résumé.

  • About Our Archives

    Cesar Nammour, the founder of MACAM, gathered a rich collection of art-related books, newspaper clippings, and art exhibition memorabilia throughout his life. His substantial collection is continuously being enriched with donations. All of these are stored in the MACAM Library. Until we digitize our archives, the library is only open to researchers and curators and is a testament to the collective of artists who helped create it.

  • A Rich Ressource

    The library was founded in 2009 as a reference center for students, researchers, art historians, and curators, containing books and journals specializing in modern and contemporary art. With more than 10,000 items, it includes not only Cesar Nammour’s personal collection, but also many donations, such as the art critic Joseph Tarrab, art historian Gregory Buchakjian, and many exchanges with artists and their family. Viewing of archival material can be arranged in advance and by appointment only.

  • We Provide Research Support

    Our archival materials have benefited authors, researchers and curators.

    Recently, over 150 items from our collection of leaflets and posters constituted over half of the Beirut & the Golden Sixties: a Manifesto of Fragility documents in the exhibition.