A ceremony marking the transfer of Reuven Rubin House’s day-to-day management to the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality was held on July 16. Mayor Ron Huldai presented the City Medal to Carmela Rubin, the outgoing curator and director and daughter-in-law of painter Reuven Rubin, in recognition of her many years of contribution to the city, culture and Israeli art.
The ceremony was also attended by David Rubin, Reuven Rubin’s son and outgoing chairman of the Rubin Museum Foundation’s executive board, and Shoa Ben Ari, who has taken up the position of the museum’s new curator and director.
The ceremony completed the transition announced in the spring. Following Carmela and David Rubin’s retirement from active management, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations. The Rubin Museum Foundation continues to own the building and art collection and remains involved in overseeing the museum’s activity.
Reuven Rubin House has operated on Bialik Street for 43 years. The municipality and the artist’s family are partners in the Rubin Museum Foundation. Before the management transfer, the municipality supported its activity and the Rubin family played a central role in managing and operating the museum. Reuven Rubin House joins the Bialik Square cultural complex alongside Bialik House, the City Museum, the Felicja Blumental Center and Liebling Haus.
Huldai said at the ceremony that alongside his work as a painter, Reuven Rubin held public positions, including activity in the Association of Painters and Sculptors, membership on the committee that selected Israel’s national emblem and service as a diplomatic envoy. Referring to the museum’s addition to the municipal cultural complex, he said: “We feel as though Reuven Rubin is coming home again.”
