Аrt Israel

Israel has the largest number of museums and galleries per capita in the world. There are over 200 museums and hundreds of galleries in Israel.
Most of the major museums, galleries and artists are based in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and the surrounding area.

Art of Israel is not limited to galleries and events in the field of culture and art. In Israel, there are many good hotels, excellent restaurants, fairs, workshops, communities, clusters where you can make art purchases and see everything with your own eyes.

Israel has a small art market, but a lot of creativity and artists. This does not mean that Israelis do not buy art in their country! It’s just a small country. The local consumer market is limited. So, like many artists around the world, they came from outside their country.

Let’s start with the market

If you want to learn more about the Israeli art market, it might not be easy. No, places in Hebrew, English and Russian (before the war, immigrants from the USSR, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Russia were called “Russians”) which would fully describe Israeli art.

I would divide the local market into “sabras” – “Israelis” – so in Israeli slang, they call those who were born in Israel and are fluent in Hebrew, English. He studied, served in the IDF (army), and so on.
Secondly, for Russian speakers.
Thirdly – French-speaking, etc.,
Fourthly, it doesn’t matter from which country the person was repatriated (Repatriates – those who emigrated under the law of return – a right that a descendant of a Jew up to 3 generations with his family can use) – he became an absolute Israeli, immersed in Hebrew culture.These tendencies also take place, of course, in the next waves of repatriation, but quantitative differences often play an important role in the division between these groups. And also – for niche and commercial within these groups.

Another of the problems and difficulties in Israel is the lack of state support for artists, few funds to support artistic initiatives. Of course, (we) in Israel have museums in the country, but they are more aimed at preserving the cultural heritage and do not promote contemporary Israeli artists..And the art market is still very young to form independently, without the help of galleries, museums and other institutions.

But there are universities and academies, and very good ones! Six of them are included in the QS World University Rankings 2021/2020.
With extensive international collaborations, this gives students the opportunity to participate in international exchange programs. When I was studying for a master’s degree, we went abroad five times over two years on joint projects with Italy, Britain, and the USA.
If you have already completed your studies, then there are grants for this. Most often, people finish them, apply for international grants and leave – this is another problem of the art environment.

Below are the Art Universities of Israel

Hebrew University
Bezalel Academy of Art and Design
Tel Aviv University
Technion
Haifa University
Institute of Engineering, Design and Arts “Shenkar”
Academy of Music and Dance. Rubina

As for contemporary art, what types of art are most in demand and popular in Israel?

Each wave of aliyah has undoubtedly had its impact on contemporary Israeli art. In the 1920s and 1930s, the influence of Germany was evident, in the 1960s and 1970s, the influence of the United States.
90-00s – immigrants from the USSR and Russia.

Each wave of aliyah has undoubtedly had its impact on contemporary Israeli art. In the 1920s and 1930s, the influence of Germany was evident, in the 1960s and 1970s, the influence of the United States.
90-00s – immigrants from the USSR and Russia

Israel – everything is allowed?

Understanding what is happening today in Israeli art comes faster, because Israel is an open country. Artists here watch, compare, learn.
In general, an integral part of living here is experiencing the local flavor.

Who is buying?

As for collecting, there is an opinion that Jews buy Jews.
Partially correct! That’s right, because about half of the buyers of Israeli art – modern and antique – are exports.
Many visitors/visit Israel have roots and ties to the country. For them, this is a significant place. Thus, art has a significant place for them.

Collectors are also looking for this new, exciting and interesting thing. They want to be among the first to say, “I supported this artist.” Israel offers such opportunities! For insiders and non-Jews alike, this is an exciting and growing art market.

This confirms Sotheby’s annual sales and demand for Israeli art worldwide. Sotheby’s has moved sales to New York since 2004. (Sotheby’s Israel Art has been operating since 1988).

Among Israeli collectors there are many large ones who regularly receive high prizes at international exhibitions.
Israeli collectors are united in the All Israel Society.

List of places to visit:

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Jerusalem.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv.
Bauhaus center Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv.
Rubin Museum, Tel Aviv.
Center for Contemporary Art (CCA),Tel Aviv.
Ilana Goor Museum, Tel Aviv.
Rothschild Fine Art, Tel Aviv.
Bravernam gallery, Tel Aviv.
Hezi Hoei Gallery, Tel Aviv.
Zemac Contempopary gallery, Tel Aviv.
Urban gallery, Tel Aviv.
Givon Art gallery, Tel Aviv.
Gallery 32, Tel Aviv.
Rosenfeld Gallery, Tel Aviv.
Noga gallery of contemporary art, Tel Aviv.
Alon Segev Gallery, Tel Aviv.
Binyamini Ceramic Center, Tel Aviv.
Dvir Gallery, Tel Aviv.
Chelouch Gallery for Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv.
CREATORS gallery, Tel Aviv.
Dan gallery, Tel Aviv.
HaMidrasha Gallery, Tel Aviv.
Uri Geller Museum, Tel Aviv.
Eden gallery, Jerusalem .
Dilon gallery, Tel Aviv.
Nachum Gutman Museum, Tel Aviv.
Design Museum Holon, Holon.
Ticho House, Jerusalem.
Hebrew Music Museum, Jerusalem.
Levantine gallery, Jerusalem.
Vic’s Armenian Art Studio, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Fifth Quarters, Jerusalem
Kings Art gallery, Jerusalem.
Gefen gallery, Jerusalem.
Haifa Museum of Art, Haifa.
Mane Katz Museum, Haifa.
Janco-dada Museum, En Hod -аrtists’ village.
Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art, Haifa.
Hecht Museum, Haifa.
Chagall Artists’ House, Haifa.
Haifa gallery, Haifa.
Sculptures Garden (Gan Hapsalim), Haifa.
Ein Hod Artists Village, Haifa.
Chat Des Rues, Haifa
O*GE InteractiveGallery, Haifa.