Jul 2, 2018

Arts and Culture Help the Negev Region Grow

Federation is helping make Israel's Negev region a more fulfilling place to live for current and future residents. As a member of the Negev Funding Coalition, Federation plays an active role in the regional development of the area. By supporting programs in creative and healthy placemaking, Federation is helping revitalize the area as it prepares for an influx of IDF, counter-terrorism and intelligence bases in the coming years.

Creative placemaking is a growing field in which arts and culture help, heal and sustain people and their community. In an effort to inspire the next generation of leaders, the NFC formed a creative placemaking incubator program at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva. Livnat, a grant recipient, opened Beit Melacha, an art studio in Shaar Hanegev where children and adults affected by trauma could relax, socialize and express themselves through clay, wood, textiles or whatever else sparked their imagination. “Creative placemaking will make the Negev look very different than it does now,” said Livnat. “People will come here to build something new. The community will be united.”