Armenia

Last update: March, 2023

The cultural sector in Armenia is mainly financed from the state budget. This funding approach provides cultural institutions with relative stability and development. It corresponds to the "state as architect" model of cultural policy[1]. State funding is allocated to various branches of culture and education in accordance with the priority plan developed by the Ministry and approved by the Government. Thus, in 2021, the following priorities have been defined: a. support for the cinematography industry; cultural heritage; performing and creative arts; d. development of children's artistic abilities; e. organization of cultural life in marzes; f. programme of modernization and preservation of state archives. All these priority areas would gradually receive increased funding during 2021-2023. The recent circumstances, such as the war (2020) and the pandemic (2020-2021) definitely affected the previous funding programmes and resulted in some relocations of the budget. For instance, in 2021, more money (2982.5 millions against of 2951.7 in 2020) was allocated to cultural heritage issues, which may be a direct consequence of the Armenian-Azerbaijani war endangering the Armenian cultural heritage. 

In the last few years, certain changes in the financial policy planning and implementation can be observed, aimed at increasing non-state sources of cultural funding. More government programmes tend to be based on partnerships or public and private sectors. As a good example of such cooperation, the "Ararat" brandy factory and the "Beeline" mobile communication company, which sponsors various cultural events (concerts, exhibitions, festivals) can be mentioned. More local and international organizations and foundations openly express their interest in providing grants to cultural institutions and programmes. The private sector also tends to invest in the cultural sector, especially in relation to tourism development initiatives (eg sponsoring the arts, wine festivals, etc.), which are becoming regular. New funding mechanisms such as crowdfunding are also considered possible, like, for example, the cultural enterprise "301 publishing house" created by crowdfunding mechanisms.

Unfortunately, there seem to be no recent surveys on trends in private funding of culture in Armenia, perhaps due to the turbulent political situation and constant structural changes over the past three years.

[1] Chartrand H., McCaughey C., Who's to Pay? for the Arts: The International Search for Models of Support, 1989,

Last update: March, 2023

Table 4. Public cultural expenditure by level of government, [2021]

Note: * At the date of expenditure

1 EUR=393.72 AMD (20.10.2022)

Source:https://www.e-gov.am/interactive-budget/2021/?fbclid=IwAR0EmAaYCw0ovQg8K_Mkl7eCFLAUiiYc5epcs8z6Yh0WE95IWahta7U6nTg#{%22groupIndex%22:%228%22,%22subGroupIndex%22:1,%22classIndex%22:null,%22programIndex%22:null,%22minIndex%22:null

Last update: March, 2023

Table 5: Direct state cultural expenditure and transfers (central level)*: by sector, [2021], in 1000 of national currency

Source(s): https://escs.am/am/category/budget      

*        Where available, please provide separate tables – 7.1, 7.2, etc. – for other levels of government

**       Definition: "Direct expenditure" is spent within the administration and its own cultural institutions (for personnel, goods and services, capital investments in their own premises), whereas "transfers" are being allocated to either "other levels of government", e.g. on the local level, or to independent cultural institutions and organisations, to film companies, publishing houses, individual artists; etc.

***      This category does NOT include public investments into constructions or for the renovation of buildings. It covers e.g. the promotion of architecture, educational activities, etc.

****     When not allocable by domain.

NOTE The diverse field of digital arts could be mentioned either in their appropriate contexts (e.g. design or multimedia) or, where separate budgetary categories exist, specified under VII.

Last update: March, 2023

The RA Government's cultural policy envisages several programmes for supporting culture, creators and cultural initiatives, which are being implemented:

Cinematography programme

The functions of creating film products, presenting domestic film production in Armenia and the international arena, and digitizing the Armenian film heritage are carried out by 2 state non-profit organizations implementing the cultural policy and public organizations providing cultural services that won as a result of the competition for grant-funded cultural programmes.

Cultural heritage programme

The programme includes registration, reservation, scientific study, replenishment, restoration, and popularization of museum exhibitions and movable cultural heritage. The programme is carried out in 36 museums, the National Archive of Armenia, the Department of History and Cultural Monuments of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, 2 state non-profit organizations , and one NGO through an NGO.

Books and writing programme

The programme aims at equal development of all parts of the literary and publishing field: writing and producing literary products, publishing, preservation, development, dissemination and popularization of the literary-cultural heritage implemented by 12 organizations that provide cultural services that have won the grants competition for state funding.

Arts programme

The programme aims at the creation of a competitive field for the creation of art products and provision of art services in the field, encouragement of debut creative programmes, experimental and innovative forms of art, and evaluation of individual creators and phenomena. The programme is implemented by 37 theatres as well as by public organizations and individuals awarded grants as a result of the competition of grant-funded cultural programmes.

Cultural and aesthetic education programme

This project is aimed at identifying and developing children's spiritual and aesthetic abilities, ensuring the accessibility of aesthetic education, increasing the quality of cultural services, and implementing aesthetic education programmes. It is implemented by public organizations providing cultural services that won the competition of state, community and grant-funded cultural programmes.

Regional cultural development programme

The programme is aimed at ensuring the continuity of the political decentralization of culture, invigorating cultural life in the regions, developing interregional ties, and ensuring the implementation of cultural activities. It is implemented by a public organization providing cultural services that won as a result of the competition for grant-making cultural programmes.

National Archives Programme

The project aims at ensuring the preservation of archival documents, replenishment, use and creation of an automatic information-search system and is implemented by the National Archive of Armenia.

Last update: March, 2023

There are no specific funds for supporting creators in any sphere of art.

Last update: March, 2023

Grants are one of the important tools of cultural policy (D. Adams, A. Goldbard)[1], which are characteristic mainly of liberal models, such as liberal (M. Dragièeviæ-Sešiæ)[2], market (A. Wiesand)[3], or the state as an encouraging model. We can state that after the Velvet Revolution, grants and scholarships became one of the important tools. If in the past the culture support policy used state-financed orders as a main tool of development of culture, then after 2018, cultural programmes and projects in state policy began to be financed and developed through grants.

Since 2018, many grants have been announced for libraries, museums, visual culture, and cultural heritage preservation. Cultural grant programmes are aimed at introducing a transparent and competitive system of distribution of state funds, proportional development of various fields of art, construction of a free and participatory cultural field, development of modern arts and creative industries, preservation and effective management of historical and cultural heritage, ensuring the presentation of Armenian culture and modern art on various platforms.

Let's look at some examples. In 2021 cultural grants were awarded in the following categories:

1. "Creative educational (cultural education)" nomination
2. "Support to the development and improvement of professional abilities of gifted young musicians" nomination
3. "Teaching methodical works in music and art schools" nomination
4. "Programmes and projects for spreading the culture of national minorities" nomination
5. Creative art programmes and projects (photography, decorative-applied art, design)
6. "Theatrical creative programmes and projects" nomination
7. "Cultural TV programmes" nomination
8. "Creative programmes and projects of film art" (except for film production projects) nomination
9. "Intangible cultural heritage protection programmes" nomination
10. "Projects and events aimed at the popularization of literature" nomination
11. "Museum Events and Exhibitions" nomination
12.  Musical creative programmes and projects" nomination
13. "Creative dance programmes and projects" nomination
14. "Inclusive programmes and projects of the field of contemporary art".

The titles of the grants make clear that cultural education, the development of art branches, and the preservation of heritage occupy a dominant place among the priorities of the state policy.

[1] Adams D., Arlene G., The Instrumentalities of Cultural Policy // http://www.wwcd.org/policy/concepts.html:

[2] Драгичевич-Шешич М., Культурная политика в переходном обществе: фрагменты политологического и культурологического анализа, Панорама культурной жизни стран СНГ и Балтии. М., изд. РГБ, 1999, с. 26-31

[3] Востряков Л., Государственная культурная политика: от патерналистской к партнерской модели?, “Управленческое консультирование”, 2011.

Last update: March, 2023

Support to professional artists is made through state grants or scholarship initiatives (see Chapter 7.2.3) and private funding (see Chapter 7.3). Besides, some private iniatiatives can be mentioned such as the Armenia Art Foundation (AA Foundation) is an independent non-profit organization aiming to support the development of contemporary art in Armenia, established in 2016 by David Nazaryan and Rafael Nazaryan.

The mission of the Foundation is to support professionals working in Armenia in the field of contemporary art, and to unlock their creative potential both in the country and abroad.[1]

[1] http://foundationaa.com/