SIP was founded in 2010 Shalom Shpilman[1] in order to promote photography as an art in Israel and worldwide.
The institute, located in Tel Aviv, hosts exhibitions, lectures and various artistic activities by people in the field of photography and media art.
In addition to hosting temporary exhibitions, the SIP had a permanent collection with over 900 works, including photographs by Erwin Blumenfeld, Frederick Sommer, Berenice Abbott, Arthur Siegel, Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, Man Ray, Cecil Beaton, Elliott Erwitt, Bill Brandt, Andre Breton, Claude Cahun, Salvador Dalí, Harry Callahan, Paul Heismann, Yasuhiro Ishimoto, Adi Nes, Jeff Wall, Uri Gershuni, Ilit Azulay, Deganit Berest, Eli Lotar, Ohad Matalon, Lee Miller and Michal Heiman.
[3] As of end 2016, Shpilman Institute of Photography ceased its activities and sold its permanent collection at Sotheby's and Christie's.
The Shpilman International Prize for Excellence in Photography remains active though patronage of Israel Museum.