[1] Changing art exhibits are held in the main foyer and other spaces in the building, and a restaurant and bookshop operate on the ground floor.

[2] The municipality also received a large donation from the Jewish millionaire Miles Sherover, who made his fortune in Venezuela.

Despite plans to complete the building within two years, work progressed slowly due to disputes and budgetary problems.

[2] American millionaire Lester Crown, who had donated $9 million for a new sports stadium, in the Shuafat area that was never built, was persuaded by Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek to change the designation of the donation from sports to arts and culture.

[2] The theatre combines sculptural elements of exposed concrete with traditional Jerusalem stone construction.