4Plus Documentary Photography Center
4Plus is an collective by Armenian women photographers with the aim to develop documentary photography and to empower women in Armenia and beyond. Empowering not only women photographers, and women in general, but all those whose rights are being violated, by bringing their issues to light, has been the core of our activity. Each one of us has been committed to documenting social issues, violations of human rights and visualising cultural particularities for many years. We also organise workshops, exhibitions and lectures. 4Plus was founded in 2012, current members are Anahit Hayrapetyan, Nazik Armenakyan, Nelli Shishmanyan and Piruza Khalapyan ․․․ավելին
Mirzoyan Library
Mirzoyan Library was established in 2011 by photographer Karen Mirzoyan. It is the only specialized public library in the region dedicated to photography. The library contains over 600 books and magazines. Regular photo exhibitions and cultural events are held on the second floor of the library, which also serves as a café and gathering place for the local art scene. Address: Mher Mkrtchyan 10, Yerevan mirzoyanlibrary@gmail.co mirzoyanlibrary@gmail.co ․․․ավելին
EGHISHE CHARENTS MUSEUM OF LITERATURE AND ART
Existing for over nine decades, this museum and archive carries the name of the great Armenian writer Eghishe Charents and is essentially the continuation of the Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. It includes major archives pertaining to nearly all important Armenian practitioners in the fields of literature, theatre, music, cinema and ballet. The museum's holdings of historical photography are some of the most valuable in Armenia. Aside from their value as biographical memorabilia, these photographs are significant examples of the work by many of the pre-Soviet Armenian photographers working in the Russian and Ottoman Empires as well as Europe. Aside from photographs, the museum keeps unique documentary material including correspondences between various Armenian cultural workers and their photographer friends. Of special interest are the photographic collections documenting theatrical performances, as well as some of the earliest surviving Armenian film stills. Dispersed throughout different funds, the holdings are not digitised and many are yet to be catalogued. Researching the material is only possible in the museum's reading hall. Address: Yerevan 0010, Arami street 1 gatmuseum@mail.ru Ph: (+374 10) 56-36-41 (director), general info (+37410) 52061 ․․․ավելին
Cine-Photo Documentation Branch of the National Archives of Armenia
The Central State Archive of Cine-Photo Documentation was created in 1943 by the Decree of the People's Commissariat of Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1993, the archive was renamed into the National Film Library of Armenia, and since 2005 it has become a branch of the National Archive of Armenia. The institution includes the largest collection of fiction and documentary films in the country. It holds the great part of the Hayfilm, Yerevan and other state cinema and television studios output. The archive’s photography section is also the most extensive in the country and includes photo archives of many state institutions and valuable photographic images related to Armenia’s modern history. According to recent news reports, the photographic collection of the Cine-Photo archive is currently undergoing digitalization with the view of creating public access through a web-based database. Currently, the holdings of these funds are only available in situ with special permission from the National Archive’s central office. Address: 0052, Yerevan, Tbilisyan highway 25a, Tel: (37410) 246-8 ․․․ավելին
National Library of Armenia
The National Library of Armenia is the largest repository of printed materials in Armenia and of Armenian books in the world. The library also possesses an important collection of photographic materials related to Armenian, Armenian intellectuals, architecture and art. Of special note are original photographic albums made at the end of the 19th and early 20th century by the likes of Ohannes Kurkdjian, Aram Vruyr, Dmitri Ermakov, Yervand Lalayants and others. These collections are not digitised and are kept in the library's department of the arts, accessible only through the card catalogue. Address: Yerevan, Teryan 72 0009 Ph: +37460 623513, +37460 62351 ․․․ավելին