It’s that time of year again—when Cairo ditches the small talk and leans all the way into the paint-splattered, soul-baring, question-asking art experience that is the Empower Her Art Forum. This year, it’s bigger, bolder, and landing right inside the Grand Egyptian Museum from May 16 to 20.
Now, in its third edition, this forum isn’t a place for polite nods and cryptic artist statements. It’s a space where stories, scars, and dreams get turned into brushstrokes. With over 200 female artists from 35+ countries, EHAF is putting women front and centre—no apologies, no filters, and no fluff.
A Museum That Finally Feels Alive
The Grand Egyptian Museum, already legendary for its epic architecture and ancient treasures, gets a whole new vibe during the forum. From live painting to panel discussions, you’ll actually want to stay for workshops that aren’t just for the pros.
The topics aren’t random, either. They hit home: how modern art is shifting, how women use creativity to heal and resist, and what it means to create when the world doesn’t always make space for you. There’s even a spotlight on artists with disabilities, reminding us that art doesn’t have a single language—it has many.
Paint, Protest, Passport
Sherine Badr, the artist and founder behind the event, says it best: this forum isn’t here to make art "pretty." It’s here to make it powerful. And part of that means helping local artists grow beyond their zip code. Thanks to a new deal with the Women’s Museum in Bonn, five Egyptian female artists will get the chance to take their work to Germany. It’s not just a win—it’s a door blown wide open.
Come for the Art, Stay for the Energy
Whether you’re the kind of person who sketches on the back of your notebook or someone who just wants something new to talk about over coffee—this event delivers. You’ll catch artists mid-process, hear them talk about what fuels their work, and maybe even pick up a few skills of your own. It’s not some glossy showcase or VIP-only affair. It’s come-as-you-are, sit-on-the-floor-if-you-have-to, and get lost in someone else’s world for a bit.
Art, Legacy, and the Women Who Shape Them
Cairo’s art scene has been craving something this raw, this real, and this unapologetically female. The Empower Her Art Forum isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about making space, making noise, and making sure women’s stories are front and centre. Whether you leave with a new favourite artist, a notebook full of ideas, or just a fresh perspective, one thing’s for sure—you won’t leave the same way you came. This is an art that stays with you. And trust us, you’ll be glad you showed up.
