Did you know this building houses two distinct souls? We are standing before the Herzliya Arts Museum. It’s not just an art space. It is also a memorial to fallen soldiers.
The Herzliya Arts Museum was founded in 1975. The museum is located at 4 Habanim Street. Its story began much earlier. Eugene da Villa, a Herzliya resident, donated old paintings in the early 1960s. His donation became the basis for the museum’s collection. Da Villa even served as the Herzliya Arts Museum’s first director. Originally, the museum was located in an apartment at 15 Bar Ilan Street.
Yaakov Rechter designed the current building. Moshe Zarhy and Micha Peri assisted him. The building opened in 1975. It uniquely combines a military memorial, Beit Yad Labanim, with the museum. This design symbolizes that life triumphs. Initially, visitors entered the museum through Beit Yad Labanim.
In the 1980s, under Yoav Dagon’s direction, the museum expanded its activities. The focus then was mainly on sculpture. A large sculpture garden was created around the building. Dalia Levin redefined the museum’s identity in the 1990s. The museum began to focus on young, contemporary art, both Israeli and international.
The Herzliya Arts Museum was remodeled and reopened in 2000. Yaakov Rechter and his son Amnon Rechter were the architects. The remodeling included a separate entrance. This change gave the museum its own identity. Jacob and Virginia Alkow made a generous donation. This doubled the museum’s size. The exposed-concrete walls represent the Brutalist style. This architectural element makes a statement of values.
Today, Dr. Aya Lurie is the director and chief curator. She focuses on contemporary cultural and social issues. The Herzliya Arts Museum hosts three exhibition cycles each year. These exhibitions offer diverse perspectives. Connections are formed between local and international artists. The museum also explores its collections, history, and architecture.
In 2017, the Mundi_Lab research group removed partitions. They removed partitions between the memorial building and the museum. This was part of ongoing research. Other artists then presented projects. These projects explored the museum space. They examined its connection to Beit Yad Labanim.
The urban environment around the Herzliya Arts Museum has changed. The municipality moved to a building opposite the museum. The museum’s sculpture park opened to street level. The municipality, law courts, Beit Yad Labanim, and the museum now form a cultural area.
The Herzliya Arts Museum complies with Israeli Museum Law. It is a nonprofit public institution. The aim is to engage in research, display, and cultural activities. The museum offers guided tours, artist talks, and lectures. It is a center for diverse cultural and educational experiences. The Herzliya Arts Museum has a collection of over 1000 artworks. Four exhibitions are staged annually. Over 850 exhibitions have been held.