Vision
To cultivate a new generation of creative leaders who bridge artistic excellence with humanistic responsibility. The prize strives to empower emerging Bezalel graduates to produce groundbreaking work that reflects Israel’s diverse cultural identities, fosters meaningful social change, and redefines the boundaries of art, design, and architecture in the public sphere.
Activity
The Matanel Prize for Creative Excellence and Social Impact will operate as a biennial award recognizing outstanding Bezalel graduates within seven years of completing their studies in the fields of Art, Design, Architecture, and curatorship.
Each year, Bezalel will publish an open call inviting recent alumni to submit portfolios presenting innovative creative work that combines artistic excellence with meaningful engagement in social and cultural issues. Submissions will be reviewed by a professional jury composed of leading artists, designers, curators, and academics.
Following a rigorous selection process, one recipient will be awarded the Matanel Prize, with the possibility of additional honorable mentions. The prize will include a financial award intended to support the recipient’s continued creative development and professional advancement.
The winner will be announced during a public award ceremony and symposium hosted at Bezalel, bringing together artists, designers, students, alumni, and members of the broader cultural community. The selected work will also receive professional exposure through exhibitions, publications, and Bezalel’s digital platforms.
Through this activity, the prize will strengthen the professional pathways of emerging artists and designers while promoting creative work that contributes to social dialogue and cultural innovation in Israel.