When art and community meet, magic happens. The Haifa Museums’ Art Incubator program (Hamama), supported by the Haifa-Boston Connection, CJP, has over the years become a unique platform that promotes art in community spaces, bridges different worlds, and fosters deep social dialogue. While the program’s investment may be modest, its impact extends far beyond the museum’s walls—it changes lives, opens doors, and strengthens communities.
How a Modest Initiative Creates Meaningful Change
The Art Incubator program consistently demonstrates that when artists receive the right guidance, the ripple effects of their work can be profound. The program provides a unique framework where art is not merely an aesthetic creation but a tool for social change. The projects born within this initiative transcend traditional museum spaces and emerge within the heart of communities.
Hilla Perlman-Pniel, director of the Haifa-Boston Connection, highlights the program’s extensive influence on participating communities: “We see tremendous value in supporting the Art Incubator program, as it not only provides a professional launching pad for artists but also offers visibility to the diverse communities they engage with. More than that, this is a process that continues to evolve even after the project’s completion—the relationships formed between artists and communities spark new initiatives, inspire the next generation of creators, and foster connections across cultures and identities in ways that resonate long after the exhibition ends. This is the true power of community-based art—creating a lasting impact that influences society as a whole.”
More Than Art – A Transformative Human Experience
Michal Lapid, an artist from Shlomi, was forced to leave her home with her family and other residents at the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, relocating first to Jerusalem and later to Haifa. Through her work in the Art Incubator, she explores the war’s impact on displaced communities, engaging in dialogue with residents who have returned or remained in their homes. Lapid has collected remnants of fallen missiles left behind after bombardments and integrated them into her artwork, reflecting the themes of displacement, resilience, and collective memory.
Rachel Anyo, an artist of Ethiopian descent, created a powerful visual project in which she and Ethiopian women explored their personal narratives through collages based on old family albums. “These gatherings became more than just a creative process; they turned into an emotional journey that allowed the women to reclaim their stories, through their own perspectives,” she shares.
Rivka Belay delved into the experiences of Ethiopian men who cultivate small community gardens, using these spaces to build personal and collective stability. She documented their struggles to create a sense of belonging in a new homeland. “It’s not just about documentation—it’s an invitation for the audience to listen to voices that are often unheard,” she explains.
Nani Baruk, a theater professional, developed a unique performance featuring both professional and amateur actors, who shared their experiences of feeling foreign—whether in a place, a culture, or even within themselves. “The performance space became a setting for courageous exposure, laughter, tears, and an extraordinary sense of shared experience,” she describes.
Hani Khatib, a multidisciplinary artist, led a unique project where Druze women from the village of Yanuh crafted artworks using a traditional material—olive oil soap. “When you see these women sitting together, creating, laughing, and working with a material deeply embedded in their heritage, you realize how powerful art can be in bringing people closer together,” he says.
Where Can These Works Be Seen?
The exhibition Critical Collective is currently on display at the Haifa Museum of Art on Shabtai Levy Street. However, the journey does not end there. Some of the participating artists will later present solo exhibitions at this museum and other venues throughout Haifa, as part of a broader vision to make art more accessible to the public.
Art That Breaks Boundaries
The Haifa Museums’ Art Incubator program continues to prove that art is not merely a privilege reserved for prestigious galleries—it is an essential part of society. The participating artists do more than create new works; they challenge boundaries, connect people, and tell stories that might otherwise remain untold.
Thanks to the broad community-focused vision of the Haifa Museums, the support of the Haifa-Boston Connection, CJP, and the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, the participating artists are experiencing, for the first time in their lives, the opportunity to take part in a unique project that enables them to showcase their art to a broad museum audience—comprising families, art enthusiasts, and students from various schools. This is a rare and invaluable opportunity that would not have been available to them had they not joined the program.
Oshrat Gafni-Moyal has been part of CJP’s Boston-Haifa Connection since 2021 and has served as its deputy director since 2023. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen civil society in Israel while deepening the partnership between Haifa and the Jewish community of Greater Boston. Her work spans key areas of impact, including shared society, education, employment and leadership development—particularly within underrepresented populations. Oshrat is passionate about creating platforms for young voices, cultivating inclusive leadership and turning the values of equity, belonging and mutual responsibility into tangible impact on the ground.