NAREGATSI ART INSTITUTE

Your Culture Connection

Naregatsi Art Institute (NAI) is a non-profit art organization established in 2000 with headquarters in Yerevan since 2004 and an educational art center in Shoushi since 2006. Founded by Nareg Hartounian and named after Saint Gregory of Narek, the NAI’s principle mission is to preserve and promote Armenian art, culture and spiritual values.

In addition to the occasional support of NAI friends and donors, the fundamental support of the NAI has been and is made possible by the generous contributions of Garabed Haroutunian, Saro Hartounian, and Harco Incentives Inc. USA www.harcoweb.com.

All activities at the NAI are free of charge for both the audience and featured talent.

Since its inception, the NAI each year has presented more than 300 concerts, exhibitions, lectures, master classes and film screenings collaborating with a great number of artists from Armenia and abroad. As part of its contribution to Armenian culture, NAI has created numerous unique books, CD’s and publications exploring various facets of the rich Armenian cultural heritage.

The NAI provides a special place for children, emerging artists, artists with disabilities and artists living in the regions of Armenia outside of Yerevan. It also provides space and resources to anyone with something of artistic value to share.

The NAI is home to The Naregatsi Orchestra, The Nova Folk Instruments Ensemble, Rotonda Inclusive Theatre, The Knar Spiritual and Folk Song Group and The Painting Class.

Unfortunately, after the 44-day war of 2020, we lost Shoushi, and then Artsakh too.

The Art Center in Shoushi provided a variety of free classes in music (including piano, bard songs class, choir), as well as instructions in painting, wood engraving, pottery, photography, theater, puppet theater, dance, recitation, carpet making, English language, art therapy, computer graphics. Naregatsi Shoushi also provided its own unique series of presentations and cultural events.

Admission to all events at NAI is always free.