The National Arts Academy is said to be strictly traditional, not only in terms of the taught art forms but also in the critical approach.

Above: Mkhitar Sebastatsi Fine Art School

Anecdotally, art history teaching seems to stop at Picasso. Disobedience can result in suspension, which to most male students means national service.

Armenian Open University Fine Art Department provides a more open alternative to the Academy model of art teaching but so far only offers bachelor courses. In the framework of the ‘Changes through Exchanges’ experimental educational project teaching is enriched by practice-led workshops with international contemporary artists, often from the region, who work in a variety of media: video, photography, installation, etc.

There are some progressive secondary art schools including Mkhitar Sebastatsi Fine Art School that has performance artist Grigor Khachaturian as a director.

Many traditionally educated contemporary artists quote the internet as the main source of information about current trends on the international art scene – crucial for their professional development. On the other hand internet presence of most Armenian artists is still very slight.

• teaching
• universities
• working internationally