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The recent global economic turmoil has affected each and every aspect of Shenkar's existence, but none more than fundraising.
Shenkar, like all the universities in Israel is sponsored mainly by VATAT – The Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council of Higher Education - which is a governmental entity. VATAT is responsible for the major expenses of government academic institutions, such as salaries and maintenance, but not physical development. Lack of fundraising therefore, means no future structural development.
Shenkar started as a small textile college with 300 students. The present location was chosen due to an onsite building that served as a school for training textile technicians, Shenkar Ort Vocational School . This original structure, today named the Pernick Building, is still the main building on campus. Since then, two major additional buildings were constructed, the Mitchell Building and the Library bearing the name of Sydney and Anita Bernstein. However, the number of students at Shenkar currently exceeds 2000 and additional space is urgently needed.
Last year, the Mayor of Ramat-Gan, Mr. Zvi Bar, a dedicated supporter of Shenkar, decided to allocate the historical Elite Building to Shenkar. Although his generous gesture enabled us to open the Department of Multidisciplinary Art, the congestion within the main campus continued to increase. Under the leadership of our new Chairman of the Board, Ms. Danna Azrieli, an architect's competition for planning a new campus on the existing site was initiated. The program of the Architects Office Mann-Shinar was chosen, but then the global economic recession stopped any progress to the program.
Against all odds, during the last BOG meeting in May, Mr. Marc Worth, a devoted member of the British Friends Shenkar decided to contribute a large sum of money which has enabled us to complete the renovation of Elite Building. Without this donation it would have been difficult to use the Elite Building for its purposes. I would like to extend our deep gratitude to Marc for understanding Shenkar's needs and for being such a great supporter.
In order to proceed with the architect's program for the future campus, a large donation was needed. About a month ago I received the most exciting phone call from Charlotte Fainblatt, Executive Director of the American Friends, telling me that such a donation had been made. With this donation Shenkar will be able to complete the Pernick Building by the addition of two floors; to move the Bennet and Pauline Rose Study Center of Textiles and Costumes – The Rose Archives - to the Elite Building turning it into a proper museum, that would also be open to the public; and, to begin with the first stage of a new building on the campus. This will be done by constructing a two level underground car park on which the David Azrieli Graduate School will be built.
The American Committee has been a great Shenkar supporter ever since its establishment. Mr. David Pernick, was for many years, the Chairman of the Board of Governors and much of the development and success of the College is attributed to his help and leadership. Now that his son, Bruce, has taken over as Chairman of the American Committee, the College continues to go from strength to strength. We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to the American Committee who, in such difficult times, are giving such important help to our unique Shenkar.
I am sure that both Marc Worth from our British Friends and our American Friends are proud of Shenkar's achievements. They have played an important part in them.
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