There is no public funding for individual artists who have to secure other sources of income in order to survive.

Some artists work in the educational sector – both in elementary and higher education, public and private (including private art classes and courses).

There are a few jobs at foreign funded NGOs where artists can work with curating, project management or on socially engaged projects. Other options are in the commercial sector, for instance shooting and editing commercial videos. One artist and his wife paint cognac labels with pictures for celebrations like weddings.

Selling work in Armenia can be problematic unless it consists of oil paintings of Ararat Mountain (the national symbol of Armenia), Armenian landscapes, churches or monasteries – themes ever popular amongst the Armenian diaspora flooding into the country in the summer months (Armenia has a worldwide diaspora of 7 million compared to the country’s population of just over 3 million).

Being represented by a gallery in the West is probably the best option as the profits generated that way can provide comfortable living standards in Armenia.

Artists in Armenia can also make a living producing crafts – Open University even has a course in Armenian crafts just to provide artists with skills that they can use later to generate income.

There are also some private commissions opportunities as well as graphic design and interior design jobs.

• working internationally
• earn money
• teaching