Creative Armenia, in partnership with the Boghossian Foundation, is pleased to announce the open call for applications to its 2024 East-West Residency. The program offers three artists from Armenia a unique opportunity to have a one-month creative residency at the iconic Villa Empain in Brussels free of charge.
The selected artists will travel to Belgium to focus on their artistic pursuits, draw inspiration for new projects, and establish connections with European artists and mentors during Summer-Autumn of 2024. Open to artists across creative disciplines residing in Armenia, the East-West Residency gives a chance to become acquainted with the dynamic culture of Brussels. The program covers all expenses for travel and accommodation and provides an artist stipend.
Artists and creators can learn more about the program and apply by April 3, 2024, at creativearmenia.org/residency.
“The East-West Residency plays a vital role in bringing Armenian art to the global stage,” said Garin Hovannisian, the founder and director of Creative Armenia. “We are pleased that this tradition of cultural exchange continues.”
Currently in its sixth consecutive year, the East-West Residency has played a crucial role in helping Armenian artists enhance their creative careers and introduce the dynamic contemporary Armenian culture into the European discourse. The program has already supported 15 renowned and rising artists in their ambitious projects, including most recently visual artist Narek Barseghyan, comics artist Shamiram Khachatryan, and photographer Vahan Stepanyan.
"The Boghossian Foundation has been deeply engaged in social and educational initiatives in Armenia since 1989. Complementing our humanitarian aid, the Foundation established the Villa Empain in 2010 as a hub for artistic expression and cross-cultural dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures,” said Louma Salamé, the general director of the Boghossian Foundation. “Alongside our exhibitions, we foster with our residency program a dynamic exchange of ideas by hosting artists from diverse backgrounds. We are thrilled to continue our commitment to nurturing creativity and collaboration with Armenia and look forward to welcoming the new East-West Residents in Brussels very soon.”
The East-West Residency is a long-standing collaboration of Creative Armenia and the Boghossian Foundation, that entered into a partnership in 2018. Creative Armenia is a global arts foundation for the Armenian people that discovers, develops, and champions innovative talents across the arts. The Boghossian Foundation was created in 1992 by Robert Boghossian and his two sons, Jean and Albert, jewelers of Armenian origin, with the primary objective of contributing to development and education.