Why shouldn’t Australia be an Arab arts capital?

We are a collective of five Naarm-based creatives with a dream: to bring fearless, high calibre cultural experiences to Australia that honour our roots, and reimagine our future.

We pursue this work with deep respect for the unceded sovereignty of First Nations peoples, grounding our practice in listening, care, and a commitment to building relationships that uphold Indigenous cultural authority.

Laymoon Arts was born from a shared desire to create a home for Arab artistic expression, one that amplifies our stories, builds bridges between communities, and celebrates the richness and complexity of our cultures.

Our team brings together diverse expertise across music, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, community building, and not-for-profit leadership, allowing us to create work that is multidisciplinary, collaborative, and boldly imaginative.

Laymoon (ليمون) means “lemon” in Arabic, a reminder of home, and the bursts of flavour, colour, and memory that connect us to our roots. It speaks to our ethos: vibrant, rooted, generous, and full of possibility.

Our work is grounded in six core values:

1. Cultural advancement and preservation - We honour Arab traditions while being bold, innovative, and boundary-pushing in creating new expressions.

2. First Nations respect & sovereignty - We honour the unceded sovereignty, cultural leadership, and knowledge of First Nations peoples. We commit to deep listening, respectful relationships, and respectful practice.

3. Intentionality - We have purpose and strive for high-quality in everything we do, with care and clarity in our choices.

4. Collaborative - We are inclusive and built on shared leadership and taking care of one another.

5. Progressive - We are socially and artistically progressive - critical, brave, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

6. Transparency - We are fair, open, and accountable, ensuring clarity and honesty with artists, collaborators, and our community.