VENUE PARTNERS

ARAM KHACHATURIAN MUSEUM
The world famous Soviet Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian’s music constitute a precious contribution to the treasure- house of the world classical music. His museum in Yerevan was established in 1978, just after the composer`s death. Its purpose is to provide information about Aram Khachaturian to the public and to care and transfer to descendants his rich musical heritage. The residence was presented to Aram Khachaturian by the government in 1947. It was a one-storied house with five specious rooms and a garden behind it. A Khachaturian liked this house and lived here during his stay in Yerevan. The two-storied museum complex was built after the composer’s death. The former residence has remained without changes. The garden had been converted into a small courtyard. Soon the museum became the worldwide-acknowledged meeting point of Khachaturian`s admirers, the connoisseurs of music, the young, the musicians and those simply interested in Khachaturian and his music. Ten spacious, light halls are intended for the permanent exposition which was first opened on February 23th 1984 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the outstanding composer. Here Aram Khachaturian is presented as a great composer, outstanding conductor, skilled teacher, well-known public figure. Materials from the museum collection-photos, documents, letters, manuscripts and different editions of compositions, programs, booklets, posters of the author`s concerts and ballet performances, anniversary addresses , diplomas, awards and medals are presented according to the chronology of the composer`s life and the evolution of his creation. Exhibits help to inform yourself about Aram Khachaturian`s childhood, youth, his family, the environment where the musical outlook of the future composer, love and aspiration to music were formed. They represent the years of study in Moscow, the first serious steps to the world of music, the symphonic and instrumental works written at the top of his creative way, testify to the huge popularity of his music all over the world, the scenic destiny of his creations. The prominent performers of Aram Khachaturian`s works, the people of art and science, well known public figures from composer`s environment are introduced. You can also see A. Khachaturian among the representatives of Armenian Diaspora.
ARMENIAN CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY EXPERIMENTAL ART
Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art (“NPAK” in Armenian acronym) is a non-profit foundation active in Armenian contemporary arts scene since 1992. It has been founded by New York artist and Armenian poet Sonia Balassanian in cooperation with her husband, architect and planner, Edward Balassanian, Ph.D. The organization has been registered as a non-profit foundation in the United States (New York) as well as the Republic of Armenia. To this date ACCEA/NPAK is the only major and enduring center for contemporary experimental art in the Southern Caucasus, showing “cutting-edge” art of painting, 3D art, installation, video and performing arts. ACCEA/NPAK motto is “Quest for new frontiers in the arts”. Its mission is introduction of international contemporary art in Armenia, encouragement and promotion of Armenian contemporary art and securing its presence on the international art scene. ACCEA/NPAK started in 1992 with one group exhibition per year and by 2010 exceeded 20 small and large arts events per annum. During more than two decades of activity ACCEA/NPAK has introduced in Armenia the institution of curatorship, video art, installation art, photography as a distinct mode of art, and multi-media arts events. In 1995, ACCEA/NPAK organized historically first official participation of Armenia at Venice Biennale of Art. The effort continued without interruption until 2009 (8 consecutive times), after which the Ministry of Culture of Armenia took over the effort. ACCEA/NPAK has organized a number of international exhibitions in Armenia and abroad. The most recent international project was “Art without Borders: Exhibition of Contemporary Art from Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey” which opened in Yerevan in 2006 and has traveled to Tbilisi, Tehran and Istanbul. Since April 1996 ACCEA/NPAK has been operating at a 1,400 m2 (16,500 square-foot) space provided by the Government of Armenia, gratis and for unlimited term. The venue is located at the heart of Yerevan in walking distance from the Republic Square, where the Prime Minister’s office, several ministries and the National Museum of History and National Gallery of Paintings are located.
ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian diaspora. Through the vision of its leaders and the generous support of devoted donors and members over the years, AGBU has played a significant role in upholding Armenian traditions and values by adapting to the needs of the worldwide community and the demands of the times. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. AGBU currently operates with an annual budget of over $46 million, made possible by our countless benefactors. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU has an active presence in 31 countries and 74 cities and addresses the needs of Armenians with traditional and progressive programs worldwide —from schools, scouts, camps and support for the arts to internships, virtual learning and young professional networks.
ARTISTS UNION OF ARMENIA
The life of the largest Armenian creative union has spanned between two stages։ Soviet period (1932-1990) and after obtaining independent statehood in1991 to nowadays. On April 23 1932, following the decision by the Central Committee, all the literary and artistic organizations were dissolved in all the republics and provinces of the Soviet Union, and instead unions for Soviet writers, architects, composers and artists were founded. The same year, on May 9, following Moscow’s example, Central Committee decided to rebuild the life of literary and artistic organizations of the republic. On June 10 during the first general meeting with Armenian artists, a resolution has been made for the establishment of a Union.Thus, the Artists’ Union of Armenia was founded on June 10 1932. Through the efforts of Artists Union of Armenia, the National Assembly of RA accepted the law on free export of fine arts. In 2005, the dismantlement of the old exhibition halls, construction of new exhibition halls, and the renovation of the administrative building according to modern requirements started in Artists Union of Armenia. As a result, the area of exhibition hall increased by 165 square meters and the administrative building by300 square meters. In the exhibition halls of the Artists’ Union of Armenia around 40-50 public, group and individual exhibitions are being organized annually. Union is a part of the country's life. For example, in 2016 after a four-day war, a charity exhibitionwas organized. In 1935, the House of Armenian Artists was founded in Yerevan, which has been operating in the current administrative building since December 1960 and has been renamed to the Artist's Union.
A. SPENDIARYAN OPERA AND BALLET NATIONAL ACADEMIC THEATRE
The Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet is located in the heart of Yerevan. It is not only a cultural hub, but also an architectural masterpiece designed by the Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan. In 1937 the project was awarded the Grand Prize at the international exhibition in Paris. The Yerevan Opera House was founded in the first half of the 20th century—a historically difficult period for the Armenian people. However, the dream of having an opera theatre surmounted the obstacles. Today, the cultural symbol of Armenia stands before us with its classical beauty, magnificent stage well equipped with modern technology, and an amphitheater with more than 1000 seats, and splendid hallways and balconies. The Theatre was officially opened on January 20, 1933 with Alexander Spendiaryan’s Almast opera. Having 2000 years of theatre history, it was only in the 20th century that the Armenian people were able to present to the world the treasures of their opera and ballet. Over the decades of its existence, the Theatre has performed numerous classical and contemporary works by Armenian and international composers. Some of the acclaimed productions played throughout the history of the Theatre are Anoush, Almast, and Arshak operas, Gayane and Spartacus ballets, as well as compositions by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Donizetti, Bizet, Bellini, Stravinsky, etc. For over 85 years, the Yerevan Opera House has been representing Armenia in different corners of the world. It has not only been promoting and sharing high culture, but also serving as the driving force for many emerging composers. Throughout its history, the Theatre has introduced numerous cutting-edge artists to the world audiences. Today, the Yerevan Opera House continues the theatrical and musical traditions that have been formed over the decades.
CAFESJIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. Inspired by the vision of its founder, Gerard Leon Cafesjian (1925-2013), the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions, including a selection of important work from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection of contemporary art. Having celebrated its grand opening in November 2009, CCA continues to exhibit unique works of modern and contemporary art and offers a diverse program of lectures, films, concerts, and numerous educational initiatives for adults and children. Over one million people have visited the Center annually since its opening. The building that now houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts is well known to the Armenian people, especially those living in its capital city of Yerevan. Known as “The Cascade,” the complex was originally conceived by the architect Alexander Tamanyan (1878–1936). Tamanyan desired to connect the northern and central parts of the city—the historic residential and cultural centers of the city—with a vast green area of waterfalls and gardens, cascading down one of the city’s highest promontories. Unfortunately, the plan remained largely forgotten until the late 1970s, when it was revived by Yerevan’s Chief Architect, Jim Torosyan. Torosyan’s conception of the Cascade included Tamanyan’s original plan but incorporated new ideas that included a monumental exterior stairway, a long indoor shaft containing a series of escalators, and an intricate network of halls, courtyards, and outdoor gardens embellished with numerous works of sculpture bearing references to Armenia’s rich history and cultural heritage. Construction of Torosyan’s design of the Cascade was launched by the Soviets in the 1980s but abandoned after the Armenian earthquake of 1988 and the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. With independent rule and the transition to democracy, Armenia entered a period of severe economic hardship, and the Cascade remained a neglected relic of the Soviet era for more than a decade. Mr. Cafesjian, working with the City of Yerevan and the government of the Republic of Armenia, initiated its revitalization in 2002. Over the next seven years, virtually every aspect of the monument was renovated, and much of it completely reconstituted into a Center for the Arts bearing the name of its principal benefactor. Mr. Cafesjian’s goal was to bring some joy into the lives of the Armenians through exposure to art. 
HAY ART CULTURAL CENTER
Hay Art Cultural Center belongs to Yerevan Municipality. Unique feature of different genres and styles of art, painting, sculpture, classical music, as well as meetings, cultural debates, presentations organize always in the Center. HayArt Cultural Center is distinguished by the creation of artistic-documentary films. A number of films have been shoted by the support of HayArt Cultural Center whichhave been highly appreciated by professionals. HayArt Cultural Center organizes as well a number of exhibitions by both Armenian and foreign artists’ participation. Since 2005 the Director of the Center is Rita Sharoyan.