Modern Art Museum of Yerevan

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Modern Art Museum of Yerevan, located at 7 Mesrop Mashtots Avenue in the heart of Yerevan, Armenia, invites visitors from around the world into an inspiring world of creative expression. Nestled within the lively city centre of the capital, the museum showcases the bold spirit of Armenian modern and contemporary art. It offers an enriching experience that connects Armenia’s artistic heritage with modern global influences in a welcoming and thoughtfully curated environment.

About the Museum

Founded in 1972 by the visionary art critic Henrik Igityan, who directed the institution for thirty‑seven years, the Modern Art Museum of Yerevan was the first museum in the former Soviet Union to specialize in contemporary and modern art. The museum came into being through the passionate support of Armenian artists of the 1960s and backing from Yerevan’s then‑mayor, Grigor Hasratyan. Since no government financial support was available at the time, works were contributed as donations by artists who believed deeply in the museum’s mission.

The museum’s initial permanent exhibition comprised works by the so‑called “Sixtiers” generation—artists of the 1960s such as Minas Avetisyan, Ashot Hovhannisyan, Martin Petrosyan, Hakob Hakoby an, Gayane Khachatru yan, Vruyr Galstyan, Rudolf Khachatryan, Henry Elibekyan, Robert Elibekyan, Harutiun Galentz, and Ashot Bayandur—whose creations now form the core of the museum’s collection.

Over the decades, the museum’s collection expanded with significant donations from artists of the 1980s generation, including Sargis Hamalbashian, Arthur and Ararat Sarkissians, Marine Dilanyan, Albert Hakobyan, Samvel Baghdasaryan, Arevik Arevshatyan, Ruben Grigorian and others. In the twenty‑first century, the museum welcomed works by distinguished philanthropists and diaspora artists. Notable gifts include paintings and sculptures by Emil Kazaz in 2004, donated by Grigor Muradyan, and sculptures by Garen Bedrossian in 2010, provided by the Zangezur Copper‑Molybdenum Combine.

International artists of Armenian descent or connected through diaspora—such as Taline Zabunian, Sam Grigoryan, Ziba Afshar, Vache Demirdjian, Haik Mesropian, Onik Atamyan, and Harutyun Jinanyan (“Jino”)—are represented alongside Armenian artists living in Armenia. The museum’s interiors are minimalist and modern, with clean white walls that allow the vivid colours and forms of the artworks to take centre stage.

Visitors may choose to enjoy guided commentary in Armenian, Russian and foreign languages, and the museum staff has produced a number of exhibition catalogues and artist monographs over the years under the leadership of Henrik Igityan.

Interesting Facts

The Modern Art Museum of Yerevan was the first museum dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary art in the entire territory of the former Soviet Union.
Its founding and ongoing operation depended entirely on donations by artists, without financial support from the Soviet government.
The founding director, Henrik Igityan, led the museum for thirty‑seven years and oversaw its development from utopian idea to celebrated institution.
The opening exhibition included key works by Armenian artists from the 1960s who donated their pieces personally, many of which remain on display.
Later generations of Armenian and diaspora artists have continued to enrich the collection, making it deeply diverse and international in scope.
The museum has hosted many famous visitors over the years including the director of the Hermitage Museum Boris Piotrovsky, writer Chingiz Aitmatov, Mexican painter David Alfaro Siqueiros, Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni, Italian artist Renato Guttuso, poet and screenwriter Tonino Guerra, as well as prominent Armenian cultural figures like William Saroyan, Tigran Mansuryan and Aghasi Ayvazyan.
Recent museum publications include albums and illustrated books about Armenian art and artists, such as works on Minas Avetisyan, Vruyr Galstyan, Ashot Hovhannisyan, and others.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +3741 053 5359

Website: mamy.am/?v=25ec916d56b8

Facebook: facebook.com/yerevanmodernartmuseum/

Conclusion

For travellers and art lovers alike, the Modern Art Museum of Yerevan offers a genuine and uplifting journey through the heart of Armenian modernity. From the pioneering works of the 1960s to vibrant contributions from the diaspora and younger generations, the museum presents a rich narrative of artistic resilience and innovation. The minimalist gallery setting allows the vivid artworks—whether paintings or sculptures—to communicate their power without distraction.

Guided visits and multilingual commentary enable deeper engagement, while the museum’s professionally produced catalogues offer insight into key artists and movements. Stepping into this museum, one experiences not only the visual artistry but also the historic spirit of perseverance that made it possible.

If you are planning a visit to Yerevan, be sure to include the Modern Art Museum at 7 Mashtots Avenue in your itinerary. It is a place where Armenian identity, creative ambition and global artistic dialogue meet in a positive, authentic and unforgettable way.