Shenkar is taking part in the National Library’s Digital Collection Project – a nationwide initiative whose objectives seek to preserve, document and generate accessibility to archival materials in the fields of architecture, dance, design and theater. The project stems from the 2010 “National Resilience Plan”, which was initiated by the Prime Minister of Israel to preserve the tangible and intangible national heritage. Also overseen by the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, within the framework of the “Tzionim Derech” (landmarks) program, the project certainly constitutes a landmark in archiving the materials that envelop Israeli culture: past, present and future.

Selected as one of the four institutions, Shenkar will lead the design team cluster, with the aim to rescue, protect and provide access to the personal archives and private and institutional collections dealing with the various fields of design: visual communication, product design, fashion, textiles and jewellery. This includes the discovery and exposure of design items, original works, creative processes, documents and accompanying materials that are available in the personal archive of the designers and in the various collections, which present the entire range of local industry.

In the first stage of the project, the existing collections will be mapped, and findings whittled down, to decide which collections will be included in the final project and will undergo digitization and accessibility. The collections include documents, photographs, video clips and other graphic materials documenting and describing important and unique aspects of cultural history in the Land of Israel and the State of Israel, as well as the bodies and people who operated in it.

The ultimate goal of the project surrounds the necessity for providing access to the various materials – for students, researchers, designers and the general public alike. The design cluster will strive to create a design collection that will contain historical and cultural sources of inspiration for designers and creators; it will provide an in-depth and comprehensive information base for writing academic research, and promote the discourse on local design and its impact on Israeli culture and society.