What Kamel Lazaar Foundation does

Kamel Lazaar Foundation (KLF) is a privately-held, non-profit cultural foundation established in 2005 by Kamel Lazaar and headquartered in Tunis, Tunisia. Its mission is to support visual culture across the Maghreb and Middle East through grants, residencies, exhibitions, publishing, and community programming. KLF operates a portfolio of distinct cultural initiatives: B7L9 Art Centre (Tunisia's first non-profit contemporary art centre, opened 2019 in Bhar Lazreg with a 500 sqm exhibition hall and community-embedded programming), Jaou Tunis (a biennale of contemporary art founded in 2013), Ibraaz (a critical platform for MENA visual culture originally launched in 2011, expanded to a 10,000 sq ft London space at 93 Mortimer Street in October 2025), Tilal Utique (a 32-hectare residency site designed with Francis Kéré), a collection of 1,300+ works of Arab art, and a trilingual public research library of 1,000+ specialized books.

The foundation's operating model is philanthropic rather than commercial. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and comes from endowment funding, philanthropic contributions, and grants from institutional partners including the European Union (Creative Europe, EU Delegation to Tunisia), Goethe Institut, Pro Helvetia, Institut Français de Tunisie, Foundation Porticus, and the German Federal Foreign Office, among others. KLF recently achieved US charitable equivalency status, broadening its access to American donors. The foundation supports up to two projects per category per year in visual arts, heritage, music/performing arts, and cultural/civic education, with eligibility limited to natural or legal persons based in the MENA region.

KLF is led by Founder Kamel Lazaar and President Lina Lazaar, supported by a 12-person team with specialized roles across programming, production, communications, and community engagement. The foundation has assembled strategic-tier partnerships with Tate Modern, SOAS London Middle East Institute, Goethe Institut, Pro Helvetia, the University of Applied Arts Vienna, and the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. Operating geographies span Tunisia (primary), broader MENA (Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey), Europe (UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece), and select African markets (Congo, Mali).

Name

Kamel Lazaar Foundation

Legal name

Kamel Lazaar Foundation

Website

https://kamellazaarfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kamel Lazaar Foundation is a Tunis-based non-profit cultural foundation, founded in 2005, that supports visual culture in the MENA region through grants, residencies, exhibitions, a biennale, and an art collection. It serves artists, researchers, and local communities across Tunisia, the broader MENA region, and increasingly Europe via its London-based Ibraaz space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and Cultural Patronage

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Arts patronage
• Cultural foundation
• Contemporary art support
• Artist grants
• Cultural philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Tunis

HQ country

Tunisia

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation funding and philanthropy: As a non-profit cultural foundation, KLF operates primarily through endowment funding, philanthropic contributions, and partnerships. The foundation does not generate commercial revenue but provides grants, residencies, and cultural programs to support artists in the MENA region.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kamel Lazaar Foundation is a non-profit cultural foundation that supports visual culture across the Maghreb and MENA region through grants, artist residencies, exhibitions, and educational programs. It operates the B7L9 Art Centre (Tunisia's first non-profit contemporary art centre), the Jaou Tunis biennale, the Ibraaz critical platform and London space, the KLF Collection of 1000+ works of Arab art, the KLF Library, and the Tilal Utique artist residency site. The foundation funds projects in visual arts, heritage, music and performing arts, and cultural education undertaken by individuals and organizations based in the MENA region.

Product overview

Kamel Lazaar Foundation operates as a cultural foundation supporting visual culture across the MENA region through multiple interconnected initiatives. The core offerings include: B7L9 Art Centre (Tunisia's first non-profit contemporary art centre featuring exhibition hall, studios, and garden spaces), Jaou Tunis (biennale of contemporary art founded in 2013), IBRAAZ (cultural space in London opened 2025), Tilal Utique (artist residency site spanning 32 hectares), KLF Collection (over 1000 works of contemporary Arab art), KLF Library (first public research library in Tunisia), and Revitalizing Rituals (artistic residency program). The foundation functions as a platform connecting local and global artistic communities rather than a traditional technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jaou Tunis: A biennale of contemporary art founded by the Kamel Lazaar Foundation in 2013, fostering dialogue, transnational solidarity, and critical reflection in Tunis.
• Ibraaz

Products and services

• B7L9 Art Centre Tunisia's first non-profit contemporary art centre offering free public access to exhibitions, workshops, concerts, performances, residencies, and library services in a 500sqm exhibition hall, screening room, dance and music studio, flexible event spaces, and garden. Located in the Bhar Lazreg neighborhood on the outskirts of Tunis and co-managed by local residents.
• Jaou Tunis Biennale A biennale of contemporary art founded in 2013 that transforms Tunis into a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, performances, and discussions that bring together artists from Tunisia, the Global South, and beyond. The 2024 edition featured 9 exhibitions, 9 performances, 9 debates, and over 60 artists under the theme 'Art, Resistance, and the Reconstruction of Futures'.
• Ibraaz A platform dedicated to art, culture, and ideas from the Global Majority, combining an online publishing platform (essays, interviews, reviews) with a physical 10,000 sq ft Grade II listed building at 93 Mortimer Street in London spanning six floors with exhibitions, talks, screenings, music, residencies, library, café, and bookshop.
• Tilal Utique A 32-hectare site of olive trees and light at Utique featuring artist residencies and research spaces designed with architect Francis Kéré, connecting arts, ecology, and hospitality with global perspectives through partnerships with Porticus Foundation and Arts for Humanity.
• KLF Collection An extensive online collection of over 1000 works of contemporary and modern Arab art from the Maghreb and Middle East dating from the 1950s onwards, organized as a research tool for cultural practitioners, including works across all mediums (paintings, photographs, installations, etc.).
• KLF Library The first public research library in Tunisia, located at B7L9 Art Centre. The trilingual collection (Arabic, French, English) focuses on contemporary visual culture in the MENA region and Global South, with the goal to build a collection of 10,000 books on visual arts, MENA culture, and sustainable artistic practices.
• Revitalizing Rituals An artistic residency program exploring rituals as a technology of belonging with the rest of nature, operating at the interstice between inherited knowledge, contemporary realities, and artistic practice. Supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
• KLF Grants Program Annual grant program funding cultural and artistic projects in visual arts, heritage (Tunisia), music and performing arts, and cultural and civic education across the MENA region. Eligible applicants are individuals or organizations based in the MENA region. Up to 2 projects per category are selected annually; artwork creation, exhibition catalogues, and communication campaigns are not eligible.

Quantifiable outcome

• Jaou Tunis 2024: 9 exhibitions, 9 performances, 9 debates, 60+ artists from Tunisia and Global South
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 1-54 Contemporary African Art FaircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for promoting contemporary African art and providing visibility to artists from the MENA region at international art fairs.
• University of Applied Arts ViennacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership through The Octopus Programme, supporting artistic research and education initiatives.
• Goethe InstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership supporting German-Tunisian cultural exchange and artistic programming.
• Pro HelvetiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss arts council partnership supporting artistic exchange and cultural projects between Switzerland and Tunisia.
• Institut Français de TunisiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench cultural institute partnership supporting Franco-Tunisian cultural cooperation and artistic programs.
• Tunisian Ministry of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing arts education programs in schools and connecting foundation activities with national curriculum.
• Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie BremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical partnership supporting concerts and performances at B7L9 Art Centre.
• Tunisian National OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership for musical performances and concerts.
• Cérès EditionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partnership for art books and catalogues including 'Artistes de Tunisie'.
• TunisairminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational airline partnership supporting travel and logistics for international artists and events.
• Office Nationale du Tourisme TunisienminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism partnership promoting Tunisian cultural tourism and heritage.
• ZukunftslaborminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partnership supporting creative projects and artistic residencies.
• MilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership covering B7L9 Art Centre and KLF activities.
• Manouba Youth CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partnership supporting youth cultural programs and community engagement.
• Tunisie.cominorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital media partnership for promoting Tunisian culture online.
• French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for World Nomads Tunisia festival (2013), showcasing Tunisian art and culture in New York, presenting visual art, music, and performance.
• Winchester Centre for Global Futures in Art, Design & MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for '10 Years On' forum examining art and everyday life in Iraq and Iran (2013).
• Tate ModerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Future Imperfect' symposium (2013), examining how artistic practices can help inform and shape collective futures.
• London Middle East Institute (SOAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Regional vis-à-vis Global Discourses' conference examining contemporary Middle Eastern art history.
• AleCSO (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cultural organization partnership supporting Arab cultural cooperation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MUCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations): French national museum focused on Mediterranean cultures and heritage. Comparable as a publicly funded institution that KLF intersects with through French cultural diplomacy, Mediterranean heritage programming, and shared curatorial themes around the Maghreb region.
• Tate: UK-based major public museum group with significant MENA programming, acquisitions, and curatorial research. Comparable as an institutional partner and a broad incumbent shaping the global visibility of Arab contemporary artists that KLF's collection and Ibraaz programming interact with.

Direct peers

• Prince Claus Fund: Netherlands-based foundation that provides grants, awards, and cultural programming to artists and cultural practitioners in the Global South. Comparable in mission and grantmaking model, with overlap in MENA programming and cultural dialogue initiatives.
• Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC): Lebanon-based independent grantmaking entity funding individuals and organizations in the fields of visual arts, performing arts, film, music, and literature across the Arab region. Closely comparable as a grantmaking foundation targeting the same MENA artist and cultural practitioner ecosystem.
• Sharjah Art Foundation: A leading UAE-based non-profit cultural foundation supporting contemporary art through residencies, exhibitions, biennials, and a permanent collection across MENA. Directly comparable as a regional cultural patron with grants, exhibitions, and artist residencies serving a similar artist and curator base.
• Art Jameel: Saudi Arabia-based arts foundation operating gallery spaces, residencies, and research programs supporting contemporary art from the Arab world. Comparable as a MENA-focused philanthropic arts organization running physical venues, programs, and a curatorial agenda aligned with KLF's mission.
• Darat al Funun: Jordan-based cultural foundation and art centre hosting exhibitions, residencies, and conservation programs for contemporary Arab artists. Comparable as a MENA-focused physical art venue and patron with a similar grantmaking, exhibition, and residency model.
• The Africa Institute: Sharjah-based research and cultural institution focused on African and African diaspora art, culture, and thought. Comparable through shared focus on Global Majority programming, physical venue operations, and residency/research-driven cultural production aligned with Ibraaz's mission.
• Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art: Qatar-based museum holding a permanent collection of modern and contemporary Arab art and hosting exhibitions and educational programs. Comparable through shared mission to preserve and present modern Arab visual culture, with overlapping artist networks and curatorial research agenda.
• Delfina Foundation: London-based arts foundation focused on residencies and curatorial practice in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Comparable as a residency and cultural exchange provider operating in a similar artist segment, with overlapping curatorial networks in the MENA visual arts scene.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kamel-lazaar-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kamel Lazaar Foundation