Artists’ Colonies in Israel

This chapter discusses the history of artists’ colonies in Israel. An artists’ colony is a physical site where artists are expected to work collectively, inspiring and influencing each other’s creative process. Artists’ colonies were in existence in Europe from the beginning of the nineteenth century. In Israel, such colonies were established during the first decade following independence. The first was a colony located in Safed, followed by Ein Hod and a colony in the old section of Jaffa. The establishment of artists’ colonies in Israel can be attributed to three figures: Marcel Jancu, Moshe Castel, and Itche Mambush. The chapter provides an overview of the artists’ colonies of Safed, Ein Hod, and Old Jaffa and examines why the various attempts to establish artists’ colonies in Israel did not fulfill their visionary manifestos.