Israel Culture Project

The Israel Culture Project (ICP) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is a landmark initiative dedicated to elevating Israeli creativity on the global stage. Bringing together the power of the Lambert Center for Arts + Ideas, the David H. Sonabend Center for Israel, and the Carole Zabar Center for Film, ICP invests in the artists, filmmakers, and cultural voices shaping Israel today. At a time when Israeli artists face growing isolation and diminishing support, the JCC stands as the leading U.S. platform for championing, funding, and presenting their work to broad audiences. Through exhibitions, film, music, literature, and artist residencies, ICP transforms the JCC into a living cultural bridge between Israel and the world—ensuring that Israeli art is not only preserved, but boldly seen, heard, and celebrated.

As the Israel Culture Project (ICP) launches its first year, we are proud to introduce the ICP Inaugural Artist Grants—a new investment in Israeli creative voices and artistic innovation. In celebration of the extraordinary vitality of Israeli culture, ICP will award four grants of $5,000 each to artists working in the fields of Visual Arts, Literature, Performing Arts, and Filmmaking. These grants are designed to support bold new work, encourage artistic experimentation, and help amplify Israeli artists at a moment when cultural support and international platforms are more essential than ever.

We are honored to begin this journey by directly supporting artists whose work challenges, inspires, and expands the contemporary cultural conversation.

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2026.

To read the full guidelines and application information, and to apply, please click here [NEED URL].

The Israel Culture Project (ICP) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan serves as a resource and cultural partner for institutions, curators, festivals, universities, JCCs, Hillels, and organizations across the United States seeking to engage with contemporary Israeli art and culture in meaningful and dynamic ways.

Drawing on our extensive network of artists, filmmakers, curators, galleries, and cultural institutions, ICP offers advisory and curatorial support across a wide range of disciplines and programming formats. Whether you are planning a single event, a film series, a public conversation, or a large-scale multidisciplinary initiative, we are happy to help develop thoughtful and impactful Israeli cultural programming for your audiences.