Museum of Modern Art

The Yerevan Museum of Modern Art, established in 1972 through the vision and efforts of Henrik Igityan, Yerevan Mayor G. Hasratyan, and prominent Armenian painters, holds a significant place in art history. It was the first museum dedicated to modern art not only in the former Soviet Union but also in the entire socialist bloc, maintaining its unique status for over two decades.

The museum’s inaugural exhibition exclusively featured works by Armenian artists from the 1960s, generously donated by the artists themselves. Its collection highlights masterpieces by renowned figures such as Minas Avetisyan, Ashot Hovhannisyan, Martin Petrosyan, Hakob Hakobyan, Gayane Khachatryan, Vruyr Galstyan, the Elibekyan brothers, Haroutioun Galentz, Rudolph Khachatryan, and Ashot Bayandur, among others.

In 2007, the museum moved to a new building, showcasing works by middle and younger-generation artists. Artists of the 1980s, including Kamo Nigaryan, Marine Dilanyan, Albert Hakobyan, Mnavel Baghdasaryan, Arevik Arevshatyan, Ruben Grigoryan, Armen Gevorgyan, Sona Banoyan, Vahan Rumelyan, Moko Khachatryan, Gagik Ghazanchyan, Tigran Matulyan, Mushegh Mkhitaryan, Teni Vardanyan, Gabriel Manukyan, Sargis Hamalbashyan, and Artur and Ararat Sargsyan, are well represented in its collection.

In 2004, the museum received a generous donation from benefactor Grigor Muradyan, who gifted works by Emil Kazaz, a celebrated American-Armenian artist and sculptor.

Under Henrik Igityan’s leadership, the museum staff published numerous notable art albums, including Kochar, A. Bazhbeuk-Melikyan, From Hovnatanyan to Minas, Museum, Armenian Palette I and II, Minas Avetisyan, Vruir Galstyan, and Ashot Hovhannisyan. They also produced individual catalogues for artists of the 1980s. The museum is currently preparing a comprehensive catalogue, Yerevan Modern Art Museum, for publication.

As a pioneering institution, the Yerevan Museum of Modern Art continues to celebrate and promote Armenian modern art, bridging the past and present while inspiring future generations.