“Naregatsi” Art Institute Shushi branch

We think that the participation in reconstructive works is the duty of every Armenian as well as the rebuilt and the recovery of once powerful spirit of the city..
“Naregatsi” Art Institute Shushi branch was launched in September, 2006.The center is aimed to support the cultural awakening of the city which was destroyed and psychologically emaciated as a result of the war. It serves to be a link between artists and art lovers in the region, implementing educational programs designed for upbringing of the new generation with Armenian spirit as well as with the acknowledgement and appraisement of cultural and national values.

Many people have come to that historical castle-town intending to uphold activities in now independent city of Shushi. However, not many of them were strong enough to undertake the rebuilding of the ruins and the spiritual uplifting of the city. Today, on the place of one of the ruined houses one can see “Naregatsi” Art Institute’s three-storied building, which includes a concert hall, an exhibition hall, various classrooms, and a library. It is envisaged to build an outdoor amphitheatre, guest house etc... Nowadays, more than 135 students are attending the painting, embroidery, poetry, miniature painting, dance, theater and wood engraving classes that are generously offered by the center.
NAI Shushi Center also offers the “Aram Manukian” Summer Camp as part of their projects, attended by a continuously increasing number of children (that number having reached 350, in 2009), not only from Shushi but also from neighbouring regions. (The Camp is established at the initiative of Haytoug and Aida Shamlian, and it is financed and operated jointly with them. "Naregatsi" Art Institute Shushi center was built with special accessibility for the physically challenged artists and audience in wheelchairs, who receive equal opportunities to participate in all "Naregatsi" events. Within its three year operation NAI center has implemented a series of programs with the participation of the children attending the center, as well as artists from the Republic of Armenia and from abroad. Every year the screening of the films propagating national values are being organized (“Screamers” “The Lark Farm,” “Juxa”, ”Hrant Dink”, “Silence”), as well as various exhibitions (Ani, historical-cultural monuments of Kars, photo pictures dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Adana, the gravestones of Shushi and etc.) and staging.

In 2009 the theatrical class participated in the forum of self propelled theatrical groups held at Stepanakert state drama theatre after Vahram Papazyan under the support of Nagorno Karabakh Ministry of Youth and Culture and took the first prize.

“Naregatsi” Art Institute is a philanthropic non-profit organization. During its operation (Yerevan 5 years, Shushi 3 years) the center has served on benevolent bases and all the services as well as admission for every single event held at the center are free.

Shushi, as a cultural center, holds a special place in Armenian history. Today free and independent Shushi is still reviving from the consequences of the war and it should be the duty of each and every Armenian to help the revitalization of the city and its cultural renaissance. "Naregatsi" Art Institute’s Shushi center serves this very purpose and that makes us feel confident that it will play an important role in the development of the cultural live of this once stronghold city and will mark the beginning of a new page in history. We hope that NAI Shushi will become a bridge linking the Republic of Armenia- Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora.

 

Future plans
Building projects

Complete the construction of the NAI Shushi Complex:

1. To finish the building of artists’ guest house. It will give an opportunity to communicate more often with the artists from Yerevan and from the Diaspora, spend courses of studies, and organize joint measures in Shushi as well as in neighbor regions.
2. To build the outdoor amphitheatre, where we will be able to organize concerts and stage the plays.
3. To build children’s playgrounds 
4. To build a studio for recording and film making, assisting the cultural awakening of Shushi.

• To repair and furnish NAI building

Educational Programs

• Art classes

1. Painting
2. Miniature painting
3. Photography
4. Wood engraving
5. Embroidery
6. Dance
7. Poetry
8. Theatrical
9. Song
10. English language
    

• <Film corner> film screening program
• Organizing concerts, exhibitions, meetings with participation of groups or individuals from Nagorno Karabakh and Diaspora.
• To exhibit the artwork of the students of NAI Shushi center as well as organize concerts in different regions of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, in Armenia and abroad.
       
• Educational visits to galleries, exhibitions, theatres and other cultural places.