Muslim Women Visual Artists' Online Organizations A Study of IMAN and MWIA

This study examines two American online organizations established as networks of support for Muslim women artists: Muslim Women in the Arts (MWIA) and the International Muslimah Artists' Network (IMAN). While the broader context is to explore the intersections of three important identity markers, namely, gender (woman), occupation (artist) and religion (Muslim) often overlooked in identity theory (Peek 2005), the more specific aim is to probe the effects of these digital cultures-capes on Muslim women's artistic agency and success. The data collected from interviews with member artists confirm the necessity of such organizations, offer suggestions on how they could be improved and outline the difficulties they face due to their largely volunteer and online nature.