Recognising the unique ability of art to unify, activate and empower, the Umm El-Fahem Art Gallery was established in 1996 as a local cultural initiative of people from the Wadi Ara region. The gallery has presented hundreds of exhibitions and produced dozens of books and catalogues. It holds a collection of Palestinian and Israeli art comprising almost 2,000 pieces and curates the first historical archive of Umm El-Fahem. The gallery offers art education e.g. by bringing together students from Jewish and Arab schools. It initiates community activities, such as locating exhibitions in the homes of the city’s residents. And it offers local women the opportunity to learn professional artistic skills, thus creating pathways to employment.