Art is never created in a vacuum. It grows out of a rich array of conditions and sources of inspiration, both environmental and cultural. Among them is the bond between art and education, a bond that is not always as self-evident as it ought to be. This reality calls on us, today and indeed at all times, to recognize two fundamental truths: that art is part of the world of education, and that education is part of the world of art.

This is precisely why the Ministry of Culture and Sport has joined this conference: to narrow the gap between the two fields and to raise awareness of the importance of seeing them as a single whole, woven into one organic fabric. In this light, if we succeed in turning learners into active and thoughtful audiences for the arts, we will nurture, as a natural by-product, every value the education system aspires to: creativity, attentive listening, empathy, curiosity, inclusion, and tolerance. At the same time, we must recognize that at the foundation of training new generations of artists lies a pedagogical process of decisive importance to the future shape of art itself.

The program we have assembled addresses both of these central dimensions. It begins with cultivating a culturally engaged generation. It then explores how to spark students’ interest and curiosity across the many disciplines of the arts, and the tools they need to understand them. Finally, it turns to the nurturing of tomorrow’s artists in academia and in institutions of higher education in the arts. Alongside these, we have chosen to shine a light on a pressing contemporary issue: the complex meeting point between technology and the arts, a fascinating topic that touches and concerns us all.

We invite you to join us in reflecting on the many forces shaping the future of artistic and educational work in Israel, so that it may be rich, dynamic, and profound. And remember: each of us has a part to play.

Wishing you a fruitful, illuminating, and enriching conference,