Impressions from Art and Shared Society Conference

Impressions from Art and Shared Society Conference

 

By Enno Esterbach

 

The Givat Haviva Art and Shared Society Conference took place on April 17 under extraordinary circumstances. The gathering marked a powerful return to public cultural life after weeks in which the Givat Haviva campus had been largely empty due to the security situation.

 

The conference, entitled The Muses Do Not Remain Silent 2026, brought together Arab and Jewish directors and managers of art institutions, artists, educators, and leading curators from across Israel. Participants shared insights into contemporary initiatives and ongoing work, highlighting the ways in which cultural institutions continue to foster dialogue and cooperation between Jewish and Arab communities.

 

Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella emphasized the importance of artistic expression during periods of social and political tension. “One of the things we believe in is the arts. Over the past three years so many things have happened that we never imagined could happen. We are being silenced in ways we never thought possible. But art can never be silenced, and we must honor and strengthen it,” she said.

 

At its core, the conference sought to connect individuals and initiatives that have remained committed to collaboration through art, despite the unprecedented challenges facing Israeli society and Jewish-Arab relations. The gathering served as both a professional forum and a symbolic statement that artistic expression and cultural partnership can persist even in times of crisis.

 

A Farewell to Anat Lidror

 

Anat Lidror, who has served as head of Givat Haviva’s Shared Arts Center for the past decade, opened and moderated the conference. In many ways, the event also functioned as a farewell to Lidror, who will leave Givat Haviva at the end of April.

 

Expressions of gratitude to Lidror echoed throughout the day. Sella described the conference as a milestone marking the end of Lidror’s “amazing and successful decade at the Center,” adding, “We thank you for the way you established and developed the Center.”

 

Throughout her tenure, Lidror has played a central role in shaping the Arts Center’s activities and strengthening Givat Haviva’s position as a leading institution connecting artistic practice with the vision of a shared society. Her energy, creativity, and commitment have left a lasting mark on the organization and its partners.

 

In her opening remarks, Lidror reflected on the motivation that guided her work: “We’re going through a very difficult period in Israeli society, but in the end we’ll have a shared society here. It will happen.”

 

Building Institutions Across Divides

 

One of the most significant contributions came from Said Abu Shaqra, founder and director of the Umm al-Fahm Art Gallery, the first museum for contemporary art in Arab society in Israel. Abu Shaqra spoke candidly about the challenges of establishing and sustaining a cultural institution that operates between communities often marked by mutual suspicion.

 

“When I founded the gallery 30 years ago, I dreamed of establishing a museum,” he said. “It was a long gestation. And now I’m holding my baby in my arms, but it’s tragic. The difficulty lies not in the budget but in the suspicion directed at you.”

 

He described the pressures  coming from multiple directions. “The Palestinians suspect whether you will remain loyal to your people. Jews are suspicious whether you pose a threat to the State of Israel,” he said. “I won’t give up. I will establish a museum that addresses pain, fear, and suffering, yet allows people to engage with them and foster empathy.”

 

Museums as Spaces for Action

 

Another panel focused on “The Museum Speaks Arabic” initiative at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, highlighting efforts to make cultural institutions more accessible and inclusive.

 

Participants emphasized the role of museums as active agents in times of crisis. Rafat Hatab, from the museum’s Education Division, emphasized: “As an educator, I see art as a tool for meaningful change. I educate through art, and the museum is the platform through which this happens. By bringing in students, pupils, and the public, we can use art to build a dialogue that allows to both express oneself and to reflect.”

 

Rethinking Art Education

 

The conference also examined the role of academic art education. A panel on the art scene in Haifa explored how institutions can address structural inequalities and expand representation within academic programs.

 

Speakers discussed the importance of challenging established patterns in art education and creating opportunities for Arab-Palestinian artists and educators within Israeli institutions. Talia Hofman, Co-Director of the MFA in Art at the University of Haifa, spoke about her own approach as an educator: “First of all, my strategy is to challenge Jewish dominance and to pay close attention to what is happening in the class I enter. I have successfully managed to create greater momentum within the department and bring in Palestinian lecturers. Ultimately, the students depend on the lecturers in the classroom.”

 

These conversations underscored the need for ongoing institutional change and the potential of education to serve as a bridge between communities.

 

Collaboration and Shared Creativity

 

Other sessions shifted the focus from institutions to individual artists and grassroots initiatives. One presentation explored the work of the “FeelBeit” cultural center in Jerusalem that brings Palestinian and Israeli artists together in a shared creative space. The speaker described the long and often difficult process of building trust and achieving equitable collaboration in an unequal context.

 

The conference concluded with reflections from two young artists who had participated in the Givat Haviva Artists-in-Residence (AIR) program. Both spoke about the personal relationships formed during their residency and the creative growth that emerged from working alongside peers from different backgrounds. Shira Yermiyahu, one of the former residents, noted: “What remains with me from the program is the human connection—the people we met, the mentors we encountered. For me, it expanded my thinking into action.”

 

Looking Forward

 

The day ended with a visit to the Givat Haviva Art Gallery, where several artists in the latest   AIR cohort presented their works to conference participants. The exhibition served as a fitting conclusion to an event dedicated to creativity, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

 

In a time marked by uncertainty and division, the Givat Haviva Art and Shared Society Conference offered a reminder of the enduring role of culture in sustaining hope and connection. By bringing together artists, educators, and cultural leaders from across communities, the conference reaffirmed the belief that art can help shape a more inclusive and shared future.