When 2023 began, no one expected it to end with so much tragedy. Sadly, daily life changed dramatically following the shocking attack on October 7th. The war impacted our community of grantees, as it did all Israelis, in the last quarter of the year. Grantees’ studies were canceled or moved to Zoom for a period, and the school year was generally disrupted throughout the country.
AICF recipients, however, quickly came together and volunteered their time and talent to perform at military bases, hospitals, hotels and elementary schools, and lift the nation’s spirits. Israeli artists – in Israel and around the world – utilized their platforms, visibility, and creative work to speak out on behalf of Israel, advocate for the release of the hostages, and provide moments of relief, comfort, and hope to Israelis and the Jewish community as a whole.
To learn more about their efforts, please click here.
“The musicians immediately volunteered to try and improve the lives of all those whose worlds were shattered, and their lives turned upside down by the war. Right after the outbreak of the war, my students from the Jerusalem Music Academy and I went to play for the survivors of the southern kibbutzim at Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Later, I was much involved in fundraisers to help all those displaced from the surrounding areas.”
Yuval Cohen
Saxophonist, composer, educator and bandleader
Despite the challenges posed by the war, in 2023 AICF successfully managed and completed a full year’s cycle of auditions. During this difficult time, we were available for our artists, assessing their needs for relocation and additional resources.
Looking forward to 2024, we have hope for the hostages and that artists will continue to share their music with the world. Art and music have tremendous potential to heal and we look to brighter days ahead.
Despite the troubling last few months of the year, AICF remained dedicated to its mission to serve the next generation of Israeli artists. Throughout 2023, as part of our Creative Excellence Grants Program, we conducted auditions for 463 students across all disciplines, including 156 in dance and 307 in music. We received an incredible number of applicants in the fields of classical and contemporary dance, harp, brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba), strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), and woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone). It is remarkable to note, that at least 160 of these applicants were past grantees, a testament to the impact and continued support provided by AICF and the thriving Israeli artist community. Thanks to our generous supporters, AICF awarded 280 scholarships ranging up to $4,000.
To ensure that all of the support we give our artists is meaningful, especially during these times of rising tuition costs, AICF increased scholarship grants for our Study Abroad Program. In 2023, 19 extraordinary students were awarded Study Abroad scholarships, enabling them to study at prestigious institutions including The Juilliard School, The New School, New England Conservatory, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon University, Royal Academy of Music in London, and Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin. We shifted our Visual Arts grants to the Study Abroad Program in Visual Arts to focus our support at the $10,000 level. By doing so, we increased our Study Abroad support in Visual Arts from one grant recipient in 2022 to two grantees in 2023. In addition, we added a Study Abroad Dance Program and awarded one scholarship at the $10,000 level for a student studying at American Ballet Theatre. We conducted our Study Abroad Music Program for piano, strings, and jazz, with recipients ranging in age from 17 to 28.
Yuval Chen, 27
Piano, AICF grantee 2014-2024
“There are no words to describe the support of AICF throughout my life, support which led me to study at Juilliard, work on my art, and reach my artistic goals. AICF goes beyond the financial aid (which isn’t to be undermined – I wouldn’t be able to afford my studies without it), but also the exposure they give. Through AICF I attended the Aspen Music Festival, where I met my teacher today, with whom I am studying at Juilliard. That initial opportunity opened many doors. The people of AICF are truly doing their work from a pure place of helping young artists reach their potential. I am grateful to be an AICF scholarship recipient and a part of the community.”
Throughout this difficult time, AICF continued to ensure that our outstanding musicians had instruments that matched their talent. AICF provided instruments to 32 top excelling individuals and 4 prestigious Academies through our William A. Schwartz Instrument Loan Program, which bank is valued at more than $6 million. To preserve our impressive collection of string instruments acquired through donations from institutions and independent donors, AICF maintains an insurance policy that incurs a cost of approximately $17,000 annually. To guarantee the instruments’ proper upkeep, AICF also designates funds for yearly maintenance. In 2023, AICF allocated $10,000 for the repair and preparation of instruments for both new and ongoing loans, allowing our talented musicians to continue to excel and make valuable contributions to the world of music.
Tamir Tavor, 22
Violin, AICF grantee 2015-2024, Instrument loan since 2019
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the America-Israel Cultural Foundation for the profound privilege of participating in the William A. Schwartz Instrument Loan Program. This initiative holds immense significance, particularly in the current tumultuous times with the looming threat of war in Israel. Amidst such a challenging backdrop, the program doesn’t only become a beacon of hope but also a lifeline for art and music. The generosity displayed by AICF underscores the transformative power of music, enabling individuals like myself to continue pursuing our artistic passions despite the prevailing adversities. Thank you for recognizing the importance of sustaining the arts during these critical moments, making a lasting impact on the artistic community and fostering the continued vibrancy of cultural life.”
David Nosovitsky, 17
Violin, AICF grantee 2020-2022, Instrument loan since 2020
“The Nosovitsky family would like to thank you for the opportunity given to us to get a high-level instrument – a violin for our son David, which helps him a lot to progress and reach significant achievements in his studies. It is a well-known fact that learning to play the violin develops brain activity, spirituality, coordination and willpower. And how important it is that the instrument you play is high quality, comfortable and enjoyable. It’s also known how difficult it is to purchase musical instruments of such a high level, both in terms of suitability and financially. David has been enjoying a lot the amazing sound and comfort of the violin, which motivates him to play persistently, investing in everyday practice and succeeding in playing. Thanks to your generous Instrument Loan Program, he can get closer to his dream of becoming a professional violinist and enjoy the journey. We are deeply grateful for this support!”
The Periphery Outreach Program provides lessons and master classes to young musicians from underserved regions in Israel’s periphery. This vital program enables us to support talented young artists with the potential for excellence who don’t have access to top mentors in their fields due to their geographical location. In 2023, we provided 124 private lessons with top professors, including funding for travel so that these students and a family member had the resources to meet with their mentors. Last year, the Periphery Outreach Program impacted underserved students from all parts of Israel, including the north and south. Recipients ranged in age from 14 to 22 and played the piano, trumpet, violin, flute, and clarinet. Participants deeply appreciated the opportunity to participate in masterclasses, which would otherwise not be available in their communities.
Miriam Swissa, 19
Piano, AICF grantee 2018-2022, Periphery Program grantee since 2020
“I want to thank AICF for all these years I was in the program to promote musicians in the periphery area of Israel. Thanks to the program I met Dr. Michal Tal, with her help I advanced in my profession and even participated in the “Arad Pianofest” festival under her leadership. I learned a lot from her classes and reached achievements I would not have believed I could reach, such as the status of an Outstanding Musician in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). I was also successfully accepted to the Jerusalem Music Academy.”
Due to the war, our exciting new program – Beyond Talent – unfortunately experienced delays. Beyond Talent will harness AICF’s greatest assets to serve the Israeli arts community, especially top early-career artists most in need of resources and support. We are preparing for our beta version of the Mentorship initiative, which will connect mentors and mentees based in Israel, the United States, and Europe.
“A nation’s support of its arts is a matter of both national pride and cultural survival.”
Theodore Bikel
Austrian-American actor, folk singer, musician, composer, unionist, and political activist. Chair of the Board of Directors of the Partners for Progressive Israel