Armenian art in a global context: A two-day cultural conference to take place in Yerevan

A two-day international conference dedicated to exploring Armenian art within a global context will take place in Armenia on May 15–16. The Armenian Modern and Contemporary Art Project (AMCA) will present the conference titled “Cultural Context and Identity: Armenian Art in Global Dialogue.” The event will bring together researchers, curators, and representatives of cultural institutions from Armenia, Europe, and the wider region.

The two-day programme is structured around four key themes: institutions, support systems and cultural policy; digital knowledge and the future of art; artistic dialogues and influences; and movements in contemporary Armenian art.

The conference marks the first major public event of the AMCA initiative. AMCA is a long-term project developed through international research and collaboration. Its mission is to address the limited representation of Armenian art in global art history and to contribute to the creation of future publications and the development of a digital archive.

Participants include leading international experts such as Iain Robertson, Pedro Lapa, and Alfredo Cramerotti, alongside regional institutions and artists.

“For many years, Armenian art has remained on the margins of global art history — not because of a lack of value, but due to insufficient representation and the absence of systematic research,” said Zara Ouzounian-Halpin, AMCA’s director.

“This conference is an important step toward building international professional dialogue, fostering new collaborations, and making Armenian art more visible on the global cultural map,” said Iain Robertson, AMCA’s associate director and head of research, who is chairing the conference.

The conference is funded by the Delegation of the European Union in Armenia in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Armenia, with the support of EUNIC (European National Institutes for Culture).