History
The Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art, ACCEA/NPAK, (NPAK being the Armenian acronym), is a non-profit foundation, active in the Armenian arts since 1992. ACCEA/NPAK was founded by New York artist and Armenian poet Sonia Balassanian in cooperation with her husband, architect and planner, Edward Balassanian, Ph.D. The organization has been registered as a non-profit foundation in New York, USA, as well as the Republic of Armenia.
Since April 1996 ACCEA/NPAK has been located in a building provided by the Government of Armenia. The venue is located at the heart of Yerevan in walking distance from the Republic Square, where the Prime Minister’s office, several ministries, and the National Museum of History and National Gallery of Paintings are located.
ACCEA/NPAK is the only center for contemporary experimental art in the Southern Caucasus, showing “cutting-edge” art of painting, sculpture, installation, video and performing arts. In 1995 ACCEA/NPAK historically organized Armenia’s first exhibition and participation in the Venice Biennale. This tradition continued for eight years without interruption until 2009, at which point Armenia’s Ministry of Culture took responsibility.
ACCEA/NPAK has organized a number of international exhibitions in Armenia and abroad. The most recent international project was, Art without Borders: Exhibition of Contemporary Art from Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey, which opened in Yerevan in 2006 and has traveled to Tbilisi, Tehran and Istanbul.
Programming
ACCEA/NPAK motto is “Quest for new frontiers”. ACCEA/NPAK’s mission is to make international contemporary art more available in Armenia. It also aims to discover and encourage Armenian contemporary artists and promote their presence on the international art scene.
ACCEA/NPAK is proud that almost all the contemporary artists and curators of Armenia were either discovered or developed at the Center, and have since been introduced and promoted in the international arena.
ACCEA/NPAK focuses on group and solo exhibitions and events of varied mediums, including; painting, sculpture, installation, video art, mixed media and performing arts.
ACCEA/NPAK presents approximately nineteen exhibitions each year.
Most outstanding projects in recent years:
Art Without Borders: Group Exhibition of Contemporary Art of Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey, 2006
Armenian Pavilion at Venice Biennale, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
Annual festivals of One Minute-One Shot, video art.
Public programming
In addition to its exhibition program, ACCEA/NPAK also organizes numerous annual arts festivals and events for a public audience.
Alternative art, Talent Search / Media arts: Photography and alternative electronic arts / Annual Festival of Video Art: One Minute-One Shot / Annual Festival, One Square Meter Theater / Zero-Budget, the production of feature and short films / the production and staging of experimental theater / discussion sessions on issues and concerns related to the arts, culture and society.
35 weekly multi-media, experimental theater productions / three festivals of art, video and theater / one feature film / thirteen short films through the Zero-Budget project.
Educational Programming
ACCEA/NPAK is in the process of initiating an Independent Study Program (ISP) based on the ISP program at the Whitney Museum, New York. This program will provide recent art graduates opportunities to engage in meetings and discussions with leading professionals in the arts and cultural fields, to enrich their insight and appreciation of art internationally.
Publishing
ACCEA/NPAK always publishes booklets and occasionally extensive catalogues for exhibitions, containing texts by curators describing the conceptual basis and arguments leading to the organization of ACCEA/NPAK’s events and exhibitions. The body of these publications form an informal public education initiative for introducing and promoting contemporary concepts in the arts.
Spaces
Total internal floor area of 1,823 sq m (19,623 sq ft).
Exhibition Spaces: Entrance Lobby, 54 m2 (581 sq ft) / Parquet Hall, 312 m2 (3,358 sq ft) / Gallery, 84 m2 (904 sq ft) / White Cube, 126 m2 (1,356 sq ft) / Grand Hall, 552 m2 (5,942 sq ft) 12 meters (39′) High / Small Theater, 180 m2 (1,938 sq ft), variable height, 130 seats.
Auxiliary Spaces: Offices, 293 m2 (3,154 sq ft) / Library, 63 m2 (678 sq ft) / Cafeteria, 21 m2 (226 sq ft) / Support spaces (incl. toilets): 138 m2 (1,485 sq ft).
