“I discovered Make-A-Wish in 2008 not long after losing my sister. I have always been passionate about art and the idea for Art of Wishes was born out of that.
Art of Wishes raises funds to support Make-A-Wish UK, helping make more children’s wishes become a reality at a time when they need it most.
I never had any doubt that the artists, gallerists and collectors would want to support us. That said, I am constantly overwhelmed and humbled by the degree to which they do. We would be nowhere without their assistance, but equally, we would not have achieved any of what we have done without the dedicated and indefatigable support of the Art of Wishes committee, all of whom give their time, creativity and energy freely and generously.”
Batia Ofer is an art collector, patron of the arts and philanthropist.
In 2017, after a decade of supporting the work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in various ways, Batia started her own initiative, Art of Wishes. The initiative was created with a clear mission, to raise funds and grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. To date, Art of Wishes has raised £9 million for Make-A-Wish UK, which has resulted in over 4,000 wishes being granted to children.
In addition to her work with Art of Wishes, Batia is actively involved in various philanthropic endeavours, including the overseeing of the Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation. Together with her husband, Idan, she established this charitable foundation to aid children, promote culture, improve healthcare, and support education. The Foundation has funded numerous initiatives in the United Kingdom, United States, and Israel, aiming to create meaningful and long-lasting change. The couple utilize their resources to foster strong communities and endorse innovative, sustainable, and entrepreneurial solutions for significant social and welfare issues. Through the Foundation's efforts, they have made a profound impact on the lives of millions.
Some of their most notable projects include a £25 million gift that funded the construction of The Sammy Ofer Centre at The London Business School, marking the largest single donation ever received by the University in the UK. The couple have also made a substantial gift to the Harvard Kennedy School, granting yearly scholarships to Israeli and Palestinian students, and have funded the construction of the new Art Wing at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design - Israel’s most prestigious academic institution of art, design and architecture.
Batia has been a long-term supporter of The Royal Academy of Arts. Her Family Foundation have recently sponsored the Young Friends Membership and the 25 & Under scheme, providing access to half-price exhibition tickets for all visitors aged 16 to 25, helping make the RA’s exhibitions more accessible.
Outside of these initiatives, Batia also devotes her time to serving on a number of boards. She holds Board, Trustee and Advisory level positions at The Royal Academy of Arts, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Sotheby’s, The Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation and The Harvard Kennedy School.
Batia was listed by ARTnews magazine as one of the top 200 art collectors globally, having curated one of the leading family-owned collections of post-war and contemporary art.
Batia was born in Israel in 1974 and currently lives in London with her husband and children. She has previously resided in both South Africa and Canada, where she attained her Business degree from York University.
