The “Processes of Art Production and Circulation in Armenia” research is being conducted with the aim of bringing out the characteristics of the above-mentioned processes, the peculiarities of their organization and the obstacles in order to make the conversations about the art market in a broad sense and related issues more material in Armenia. The research includes 26 in-depth interviews with individual artists, curators, representatives of galleries, museums and art centers. The questions are aimed at identifying the frequency of organizing exhibitions, their content, the existence of obstacles in the process of organizing, the indicators of the sale of works of art, and the prospects.
The research is based on interviews with art representatives operating in Yerevan, but includes several interviews with artists, curators, and gallery representatives working in Gyumri, giving the opportunity to expand the scope of the research problem and observe patterns and features in the dimensions of the artistic life of both cities. The research is based on qualitative sampling. The artists, curators, representatives of galleries, museums and art centers included in the research were selected based on two criteria: experience in the field of art and location of activity (Yerevan and Gyumri).
In a broad sense, the research proceeds from the problem that the art market in Armenia, as a part of the economic system, is not formulated and formed, and there are no regulated conceptual and legal bases contributing to it. At the same time, there is currently no organization or infrastructure that consistently deals with cultural economy and policy research, the research-analytical work necessary to fill the existing gaps in the statistical service, and the development of the methodology and tools necessary for the formation of a justified cultural policy.
