Tzavta for advanced culture
Tzavta is one the best known cultural centers in Tel Aviv due to the fact that it was founded some 60 years ago and soon thereafter became home for the best known artists and writers in the late 1950’s and until 1970’s.
It was the source of many new cultural developments and a place where many important Israeli artists were discovered.
Interestingly enough it was established as an organ of a socialist party set up to improve relations between the Kibbutzim Movement and the residents of Tel Aviv the cultural and capitalistic capital of Israel.
With major development of cultural life in Tel Aviv and the reduced importance of the Kibbutzim movement in the country Tzavta also changed its activities and in 2010 it was incorporated as a separate nonprofit corporation owned by the movement.
Once it had separate financial reports it became evident that there is a major managerial problem there and that it could cope with the changing market and regulatory environment decried upon nonprofits supported by the government.
By the end of 2012 it has accumulated 3.2 mil NIS deficit with debts in arrear amounting to 2.5 mil. NIS. The first quarter of 2013 added another half a mil. NIS.
to the deficit.
Artists refused to cooperate with organization as a couple of hundred were owed for past performances.
In addition, there were numerous legal problems resulting from a series of bad agreements.
In March of 2014 we were requested to intervene and starting in the second quarter of 2013 Ronnie effectively took over the management of Tzavta until the end of the year.
Within this period of nine months Tzavta produced no deficit, staff was retained to work as a group and keep in house many tasks performed by outside consultants. Internal and accurate management reports were introduced. The shareholders were convinced to infuse funds to cover debts accumulated thru December 31 2012. Needless to say expenses were reduced significantly- most notably legal expenses where few thousands USD settled millions in potential suits.
All disputes with the government were settled, a turnaround plan was agreed upon and all governmental support received.
At the board meeting of Tzavta to summarize the activities our achievements were characterized by one member as an “art”.
Being art collectors we took this as a major complement.