What they reported doing
- #1 primary $840KCULTURAL ENRICHMENT GRANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP AND GUIDANCE OF VARIOUS CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS WHO BEST REPRESENT ISRAELI CULTURE INTERNATIONALLY
- #2 $497KPERFORMANCE PROJECTS-AICF INITIATES OR SUPPORTS DIFFERENT PROJECTS WHOSE AIM IS TO ASSIST AND PROMOTE YOUNG ARTISTS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THEIR EDUCATION BY HELPING THEM FIND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
What they call their work
What they do
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Artist Support Grants 2 activities
- Annual Artist SupportProvides direct support to over 500 Israeli artists annually through a range of programs including scholarships, instrument access, and professional development.
- Creative Project FundingProvides direct funding to support ambitious creative projects by Israeli artists, enabling innovation and public discovery of new talent.
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Arts Education Scholarships 2 activities
- Artist ScholarshipsProvides scholarships to early-career Israeli artists in dance, music, theater, and visual arts to support their artistic education and professional development.
- Study Abroad Scholarships for Israeli ArtistsProvides funding and support for young Israeli artists to study at renowned institutions worldwide, including conservatories and universities, through scholarships and international study opportunities.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
- Free Professional Development ProgramsOperates free, application-based professional development programs for artists aged 18 and over, including limited-capacity 1:1 meetings with industry experts and feedback sessions.
- Professional Mentorship and Career DevelopmentOffers one-on-one mentorship with leading industry professionals, expert-led workshops, and career development support to emerging and mid-career Israeli artists through the Beyond Talent program.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Art Up NationDeveloped and produced Art Up Nation in Chelsea, New York City, to support Israeli artists through public exhibitions and performances, particularly in response to the events of October 7.
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Music Education Support 1 activity
- Instrument Loan ProgramOperates a loan program providing high-quality musical instruments to promising Israeli musicians for practice, auditions, and performances.
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Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
- International Networking and Industry AccessFacilitates one-on-one introductions between Israeli artists and international arts decision-makers such as curators, producers, and festival programmers to create career opportunities.
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Donor-Advised Fund Grantmaking 1 activity
- Legacy and Donor-Advised Fund SupportAccepts donor-advised fund contributions and appreciated stock donations designated for specific programs, and supports artist development through legacy giving.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Music Education Programs in Underserved CommunitiesOffers high-quality music education programs in Israel's periphery, including private lessons with leading conservatory professors, to improve access to music education for underserved populations.
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Support for Major Cultural InstitutionsProvides institutional funding and support to major Israeli cultural organizations including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Museum, the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, and the Batsheva Dance Company.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Aviv CompetitionsOrganizes and administers the annual Aviv Competitions, which award prizes to young Israeli musicians and support early-career development in various musical performance fields.
- Global Artist Support and OutreachSupports Israeli artists who perform in renowned global festivals, competitions, and leading symphonies, orchestras, dance, theater, and opera companies, enhancing international presence.
- Israeli Artist Network and Networking EventsCreates in-person networking opportunities across artistic disciplines and maintains an online database of over 2,000 Israeli artists, receiving 300,000 annual views, to promote visibility and international outreach.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRIS REFF RONEN | CEO | 50 | $261K |
- AMYT ECKSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROL STARLEY — CHAPTER PRESIDE
- JOSEPH HOLLANDER — PRESIDENT
- JOSHUA-MARC TANENBAUM — PRESIDENT
- JUDITH KLEBANOW — SECRETARY
- JULIE JACOBS — TREASURER
- KRISTINA REIKO COOPER — VICE PRESIDENT
- SASHA BAU — BOARD MEMBER
Who they work with
- Aviv Competitions Partner — Administers and supports the Aviv Competitions for young musicians
- Batsheva Dance Company Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
- Beyond Talent Program Partner — IAN is an initiative of the Beyond Talent Program
- Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
- DAF Pay Partner — Payment processing partner enabling donor-advised fund donations to AICF.
- DonateStock Partner — Partnered with AICF to facilitate the processing of stock donations.
- Impresariat Simmenauer Partner — Former artist manager Sonia Simmenauer, associated with Impresariat Simmenauer, is hosting mentoring sessions
- Israel Museum Partner — Hadas Nunno collaborates on the Jerusalem International Jazz Festival held at Israel Museum
- Israel Museum Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
- Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
- Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation UK Partner — Ruth Fisher, Development Consultant for Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation UK, is participating in mentoring sessions
- Israeli Artist Network Partner — Platform co-utilized by AICF to present Israeli artists to international audiences.
- Israeli Artist Network (IAN) Partner — AICF's online cultural hub serving Israeli artists and art consumers worldwide.
- Jazz FM Partner — Ruth Fisher, leading jazz radio presenter on Jazz FM, is participating in mentoring sessions
- Muscarella Museum of Art Partner — Andrea Kleibel-Kertsman has held leadership roles with institutions including Muscarella Museum of Art
- Sotheby’s Auction House Partner — Shirlee Klein served as an advisor to Sotheby’s Auction House, indicating a professional relationship with the organization.
- Taichung Jazz Festival Partner — Cheng-Yu Lee, Director of Taichung Jazz Festival, is participating in mentoring sessions
- Tel-Aviv Museum of Art Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
- The Juilliard School Partner — Institution where AICF grant recipients serve as faculty
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Art as a Vehicle for Social and Environmental Changemethodology: art_for_social_changeBy leveraging art’s sensory and aesthetic language, the organization strengthens public engagement to drive social and environmental change because artistic expression fosters emotional resonance and connection more effectively than informational appeals alone.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration as Creative Innovation Enginemethodology: collaborative_innovationBy fostering collaborations across disciplines and generations among Israeli artists, the organization inspires new creative possibilities because diverse artistic exchange catalyzes innovation beyond what isolated practice can achieve.
- Early-Career Artist Investment with Long-Term Professionalizationmethodology: early_career_artist_investmentBy identifying and investing in exceptionally talented Israeli artists at early career stages, the organization enables long-term success because early support—combined with sustained access to resources, networks, and international opportunities—builds durable artistic careers.
- Equity-Driven Talent Development in Underserved Communitiesmethodology: equity_focused_talent_developmentBy providing high-quality music education and access in underserved communities, the organization identifies and develops artistic talent regardless of socioeconomic background because removing structural barriers enables a more diverse and robust cultural ecosystem.
- Professional Network Development as Career Catalystmethodology: professional_network_developmentBy connecting artists with global professionals, institutions, and mentoring opportunities, the organization facilitates entry into the international arts sector because access to networks provides the professional traction that talent alone cannot secure.