Bezalel Values

Drawing from local inspiration. With a belief that artists and designers must learn to incorporate themselves, their backgrounds, and their surroundings into their work, Bezalel urges its students to draw upon local inspiration to strengthen their expressive efforts. By nurturing a confluence of contrasting cultures that Jerusalem and Israel present, students are reimagining possibilities.

Engaging with the world. At Bezalel, students are taught to engage and respond to universal challenges by questioning, researching, defining, and redefining concepts and ideas, to offer new perspectives and solutions.

Championing equity, diversity, and independent thinking. Bezalel’s commitment to a diverse population of students and faculty is reflected in every aspect of Campus life. Stemming from all segments of society, this dynamic mix of people of varied religious, cultural, and socioeconomic origins and affiliations enriches and energizes the Academy, furthering expanded viewpoints and stimulating original and independent thinking.

Melding the past, present, and future. As an acknowledged guardian of Israel’s artistic heritage, Bezalel is dedicated to protecting time-honored crafts and techniques while simultaneously broadening and strengthening them with new ideas and directions. Each of its undergraduate and graduate degree programs presents students with traditional knowledge, tools, and materials collected over many decades alongside hands-on workshops that use sophisticated software and novel technologies, styles, and methodologies.

Reimagining the future. The Academy trains its students to be agents of change – artists and designers who can integrate their intellectual curiosity with their professional skills to address the complex issues confronting humanity, providing them with the critical ability to research, evaluate and affect the social and ethical impact of emerging technologies with an open mind – and in the process, creating a cadre of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who can dramatically transform our lives.

Connecting with the community. Throughout their Bezalel experience, students and faculty are encouraged to take an active role in the communities they live in to understand and demonstrate that as artists and designers their creative citizenship can make important and meaningful contributions to the world around them.