Music - America-Israel Cultural Foundation

’s scholarship and grant programs are designed to
AICF respond to Israel’s ever-evolving artistic life and the
needs of her artists and institutions. Since 1939, more than
10,000 scholarships have been awarded, 600 institutions
supported, scores of artists nurtured onto the world stage, and
millions of lives impacted.
Sharett Scholarship Program
The Sharett Scholarship
Program is unique in
Israel, granting more than
1,100 study scholarships
annually to students
in music, art & design,
dance, film & television,
and theatre. As Israel’s
largest private funder of
artistic study, a scholarship
from the foundation
is a recognition of
excellence.
Itzhak Perlman receiving a
scholarship certificate from
Prime Minister Moshe Sharett in 1956
Scholarships are awarded based on an audition process with
an independent panel of judges consisting of Israel’s top
academics and professionals in each area of study. Every
applicant is granted an audition, and the AICF awards scholarships
to the most outstanding students. Scholarships are
offered for domestic study, abroad study, fellowships, and travel
grants for competitions and workshops. The program also
supports the Jerusalem Music Centre Young Musicians Program,
and the Teachers’ Coaching Project.
• The number of applications for scholarships
has increased by 50% since
2000, with 2,138 applications in 2006.
• $944,600 was awarded for scholarships
for studies in Israel alone for the
academic year 2006/7.
• There were 26 film scholarships
awarded in 2000, and 106 in 2006—a
408% increase for a burgeoning Israeli
film world!

supports more than a dozen arts and educational
AICF programs. They include:
Teacher’s Coaching Project
Leading Academy teachers serve as mentors to music teachers
in conservatories throughout Israel, in a program created
by renowned violinist and AICF recipient, Miriam Fried.
Aviv Competitions
Created by the AICF, and held in partnership with the Tel Aviv
Museum of Art, the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport,
and the Jerusalem Music Centre, the Aviv Competitions were
established for the purpose of furthering the careers of
young musicians who are ready for a professional career.
Artic
Exhibition and catalog for the winners of AICF scholarships in
art & design, giving these artists a professional forum to
show their work, often resulting in the artists being invited to
participate in other important exhibitions in Israel and
abroad.
Projects for Young Artists
Activities initiated or supported which are aimed at assisting
and promoting young artists in early stages of their professional
career by providing management services, exhibition
possibilities, and production or performance opportunities.
Museum Acquisitions of Works by Young Israeli Artists
Six of the major museums in Israel who present Israeli art are
granted special allocations to acquire works from young
artists, many of whom happen to be AICF recipients but this
is not a condition. Participating museums include the Israel
Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and the Haifa Museum.
Projects in Art Schools
Year after year the government and municipal allocations to
art schools has dwindled. The AICF’s assistance often
comes in the form of providing seed money for specific
projects, and also to bring guest teachers, acquire needed
equipment, and providing funds to institutions for the absorption
of artists returning to Israel.
I.D.F. Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles
Support to maintain and acquire musical instruments and
sound equipment for the IDF’s musical groups.

Music is in the heart of the Jewish people, and it has been a
core focus of the AICF for more than six decades. Through
the enthusiastic contributions of AICF patrons, millions in early
support was given to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (60%
of the members of the IPO are recipients) and towards the
founding of the Jerusalem Music Centre (JMC). Responding to
the needs for Israel’s growing pool of talented musicians, the
AICF provides vital scholarships for musical study, including
numerous chamber groups such as the Jerusalem Quartet,
who were created, nurtured and launched onto the world scene
from the JMC.
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performing at AICF’s Gala
Carnegie Hall, 1978
Many of Israel’s brightest musical talents
were funded since they were very young,
such as Gil and sister Orli Shaham. They
now both represent Israel as cultural
ambassadors on the world stage, along
with other renowned recipients Itzhak
Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Miriam
Fried, Yefim Bronfman, and Daniel
Barenboim.
Gil Shaham
Jerusalem Quartet Orli Shaham

The influence of Israelis on the New
York jazz scene is undeniable, and
nearly all of the major players are
longtime recipients of AICF’s scholarships.
Three of these emerging innovators
are Anat, Yuval, and Avishai Cohen,
who play together as one group and also
individually with their own bands in Israel,
the US, and abroad.
The number of jazz
scholarships awarded
annually continues to
grow as jazz becomes
more popular in Israel
and cross-over artists
such as Rafi Malkiel,
the Talat Ensemble,
and Miri Ben-Ari gain
in popularity.
The Three Cohens: Anat, Yuval, and Avishai
Rafi Malkiel leads a Latin-fusion ensemble
The AICF comprehensively funds scholarships in music, covering
study for every instrument in the orchestra, baroque, jazz,
composition, conducting, Arab instruments, and old music
instruments. In addition to study scholarships, the AICF also
supports programs for master classes, workshops, international
competitions, and has an instrument bank that gets top quality
instruments into the hands of deserving young musicians.

The land of Israel is rife with history and
cultural inspiration. It is no wonder
that Israel has some of the best museums
and arts schools in the world. The AICF
was instrumental in founding and
maintaining many of Israel’s arts
landmarks, including the Israel Museum,
Tel Aviv Museum, and the Bezalel
Academy of Art and Design.
The Israel Museum Boaz Vaadia
Asaf and Yo’ah, 2000
Time Warner Center, NYC
The AICF has also provided millions in funding to Israel’s most
outstanding artists and designers, giving them access to the
educational and physical resources they need to further their
art. Some of AICF’s most renowned recipients are Menashe
Kadishman, Boaz Vaadia, Zigi Ben-Haim, Yehoshua
Neustein, Benny Efrat, and Michal Rovner. The work of
these artists is widely loved and appreciated both in Israel and
around the world in top museums and galleries.
Menashe Kadishman, Forest Sculpture
on property of Jerome L. Stern,
AICF King Solomon Award Winner
Menashe Kadishman
at work in studio

Today the AICF remains an important
incubator of Israel’s arts scene, granting
more than 250 scholarships in art &
design annually. Artic, a staple of the
foundation’s support for the arts, has
become a brand identity in Israel that
signifies innovative and cutting-edge
creative work, and also provides, what is
for some, their first exposure to the
public eye and professional criticism.
Tamar Gabriely, Artic 8
Bezalel Academy
Oranges, 2005
Neri Oxman, OJ Studio, February 2006
Peristal City: A Circular Habitat Cluster for the City of Manhattan
Within the umbrella of art & design, the
AICF grants scholarships in painting,
sculpture, photography, multimedia,
animation, design (graphic, metal, industrial,
ceramic, and fashion), as well as
supporting master classes, workshops,
and maintaining a museum acquisitions
program to assist museums in acquiring
works of young artists.
cover of Artic 8 catalog
Michael Yuabov, Artic 8
Shenkar Academy
Untitled, 2005
With increasingly
profitable fashion
and architecture
industries the
AICF’s funding of
scholarships in
these areas is
helping to contribute
to a more
economically viable
Israel.
Neri Oxman, architect
PhD Candidate
Design and Computation, MIT

From Batsheva to Yasmeen Godder
Israeli dance is becoming widely
recognized as highly artistic, original, and
high energy. The AICF has been a major
force in establishing this recognition,
having funded the founders, artistic
directors, and the companies themselves
for the Batsheva and Kibbutz Dance
Companies, as well as the Inbal Dance
Theatre, Israel Ballet, and the Bat-Dor
Be’er Sheva Dance Studio.
performance of the Batsheva Dance Company
Suzanne Dellal Center, Batsheva Building
The Suzanne Dellal Center is the most
visited tourist sight in Tel Aviv, hosting
more than 600 cultural events and performances
per year. AICF has supported the
center, as well as many of the dancers
and companies to which the Dellal Center
is home and primary performance space,
including Batsheva and Inbal.

Zvi Gotheiner
Zvi Dance
AICF
Our dancers have worked with dozens of
internationally acclaimed companies,
including the Cullberg Ballet, Ballet
Hamburg, Scapino, Met Opera, the
Sascha Walz Company, the Netherlands
Dance Theatre, the Stuttgart Ballet, and
the Israel Ballet.
is deeply dedicated to
promoting the future of
dance in Israel. Through our scholarships
for ballet, modern dance, and choreography,
which have doubled in the last
several years, AICF has nurtured more
than one thousand young dancers. Our
most famous scholarship and fellowship
recipients include Ohad Naharin, Rami
Be’er, Yehudit Arnon, Talia Paz, and Ido
Tadmor.
Amir Levy
Dance Captain, Metropolitan Opera
performing Wagner’s Tannhäuser

The amount of artistic talent in Israel is limitless. This
talent, which is the very food for Israel’s cultural soul, needs
your support.
Named Scholarship: Make a difference in a young artist’s life
and establish a connection with him/her that will last a lifetime.
Donations of $1,800 funds one student’s studies for one
year. You will receive a personal letter and biography from your
student, allowing you to correspond and feel the impact of your
contribution.
Annual Campaign: Donations of any amount go towards our
varied programs throughout the arts. Every dollar goes a long
way to support Israel’s talented youth.
The AICF makes a tremendous contribution
to Israel’s artistic life and helps bring
Israel’s brightest to the international
stage. Many of the musicians, dancers,
and actors in Israel’s top orchestras,
dance companies, and theatre groups,
were AICF scholarship recipients. And
many of Israel’s most acclaimed filmmakers,
designers, and painters receive
important support that enables their
groundbreaking projects to succeed.
“I have a vision to become a famous
ballerina, and I can say for sure that the
America-Israel Cultural Foundation and its
scholarships really gives me the proper
help and support to fulfill my vision step
by step to the future.” – Chen Drory

“AICF’s nurturing support throughout the
years of young and aspiring artists has
been invaluable. We shall never forget it.”
– Itzhak Perlman, violinist and conductor
AICF Scholarship Recipient
BECOME A PARTNER
For every $1,800 you give, another young Israeli
artist is supported
Governor $25,000 12 named scholarships
Benefactor $10,000 6 named scholarships
Fellow $5,400 3 named scholarships
Patron $1,800 1 named scholarship
Supporter other amount
ENDOWMENTS
Given in amounts of $25,000 and more, endowments can be
created as designated by the donor for specific scholarships or
programs. The AICF has funded several generations of Israeli
artists, and endowments help establish a legacy of Israeli artists
for years to come.
PLANNED GIVING
Support can be given in the form of endowments or as general
contributions to AICF’s scholarships and various programs. The
generosity of our donors, through charitable gifts and bequests,
makes a significant impact on what AICF is able to give to Israel.
Contact the AICF to discuss other ways
you can support the arts in Israel:
• Designating assets from your retirement
account is one way to provide
support and avoid being taxed on your
earnings.
• If your company has a matching gift
program, contact your employer to
learn about how to make your support
of the arts go even further.