The foundation was established in 2008 as the Friends of the School of Art at Sapir College, with the goal of supporting the school and its faculty in advancing its vision and mission. Even then, the Friends recognized the importance of uniting the center and the periphery and raising awareness of the significance of artistic activity in areas affected by conflict.

The Friends chose to support this school both because it is the only art school in the southern region and out of a desire to help local residents cope with ongoing conflict and an unstable security situation.