YEREVAN (APRA) — The Armenian Photography Research Association (APRA) has formed to systematically study, curate, help preserve and share with the broad public the historically rich links between Armenians and photography. APRA stems out of the realization that photography has been an inherent part of the Armenian experience before and after the genocide, both in Armenia and in the diaspora. In the Caucasus, Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the Americas, Armenian photographers have played pioneering and prominent roles within their communities and beyond. They were and continue to be important contributors to visual culture across domestic, artistic, art historical, celebrity, advertisement, fashion-related, technological, and other spheres. Caption: 1. Vahe Torossian, Deputy Director of Scientific Affairs at the Matenadaran (photo credit Matenadaran) APRA intends to spearhead interdisciplinary projects, involving graduate-level and advanced research, as well as provide a space for curators, artists, collectors and other relevant practitioners to connect and share their work. It will open up the photographic archives and collections that link with Armenians at various levels to invite multiperspectival, generative reflections on their historical, contemporary and future significance beyond strict definitions of Armenian culture. ARPA’s Founding Committee is composed of artists, collectors and scholars of varying cultural and disciplinary backgrounds who work on different kinds of projects. Recognizing and harnessing diversity is thus at the core of the Association’s vision. In light of this, APRA further stresses the power of photography in enabling individuals and communities to come together along various socially relevant, impactful projects especially in times of crisis like ours marked by skepticism towards human rights and democracy, or towards the value of art and education, exacerbated by AI-induced uncertainties. Vahe Torossian, Deputy Director of Scientific Affairs at the Matenadaran (photo credit Matenadaran) The launching of APRA took place on October 13, 2026, at the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (the Matenadaran) in Yerevan. During this event, after encouraging words of welcome by Vahe Torossian, Deputy Director of Scientific Affairs at the Matenadaran, the Founding Committee shared the trajectories and practices that have led them to the formation of APRA, explicated the vision behind it, introduced its website and social media platforms, and invited audiences to discuss ideas for collaborations. The broad public, along with artists, scholars, curators and other interested parties, joined the event in person and online. At the launch and during subsequent discussions, it became clear that APRA has an important role to play in developing and promoting work on Armenian photography, something that the association intends to pursue with diverse partners from around the world. At the Matenadaran event (photo credit Anoush Sargsyan) For more information contact APRA (apraexpress@gmail.com) and follow its activities on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594881344897 ) and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/aprassociation/ ), as well as visit aprasite.org . The APRA Founding Committee includes Marie-Aude Baronian, Aikaterini Gegisian, Karen Jallatyan and Joseph Malikian. The post Armenian Photography Research Association (APRA) Launched at Matenadaran appeared first on The Armenian Mirror-Spectator .