Armenian Museum of America

10/14/2026

The Armenian Museum of America is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Hayes as Deputy Director!

Since joining the Museum as Director of Development in 2023, Sarah has strengthened fundraising and membership, secured significant grants and partnerships, expanded donor and community relationships, and helped advance the Museum’s ambitious exhibitions and programs including the landmark Arshile Gorky exhibition.

In her new role, Sarah will continue to lead the Museum’s development program while taking on broader responsibilities across the institution, working closely with Board President Michele Kolligian, Executive Director Jason Sohigian, the Board, staff, and community partners to advance the Museum’s mission and continued growth.

Please join us in congratulating Sarah Hayes!

The Armenian Museum of America announces Sarah Hayes as Deputy Director, enhancing leadership to support growth, visibility, and strategic development.

10/10/2026

Discover the vibrant sound of Armenia through a special concert featuring the Armenian State Jazz Orchestra, filmed exclusively for the Armenian Museum of America (AMoA).

The program brings together Armenian compositions, jazz standards, and contemporary works including Komitas’ “Vagharshapat Dance.” This outstanding ensemble of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section includes appearances by Armenia’s leading musicians and soloists.

Turn up the volume and experience the energy, creativity, and contemporary spirit of Armenia!

Filmed at the Concert Hall of the Armenian Union of Architects in Y...

10/09/2026

For generations, Yousuf Karsh defined the photographic portrait, creating unforgettable images of statesmen, writers, actors, artists, musicians, and scientists. His 1941 portrait of Winston Churchill, on view on our galleries, launched his international career and established him as one of the world’s most celebrated portrait photographers.

But Karsh’s work extends far beyond his iconic portraits. In the latest installment of “Treasures from Our Collection,” we explore the lesser-known sides of Karsh’s career from his early photographic experiments and personal images to gifts presented to Yousuf and his beloved wife Estrellita. These new acquisitions, some of which were donated to our collection by the Estate of Estrellita Karsh, reveal a more intimate side of the artist and his extraordinary ability to capture the humanity of every person he photographed.

“Treasures from Our Collection, Where Every Object Tells a Story” is a video series sponsored by a generous donation from Michele M. Kolligian, President of the AMoA’s Board of Trustees.

For generations, Yousuf Karsh defined the photographic portrait, cr...

10/09/2026

Our next exhibition, “Beyond the Curtain: Materiality and Devotion in Armenian Art,”features more than 20 objects from our collection and one illuminated manuscript on loan from the Melikian Collection. It examines religious art through the materials that have shaped devotional experiences, inviting visitors to consider how faith becomes tangible through ritual, craftsmanship, and sacred objects. Opens to the public Oct. 22.

Beyond the Curtain: Materiality and Devotion in Armenian Art opening on October 22. The exhibition examines Armenian religious art through the materials that have shaped devotional experiences.

09/23/2026

There's only 4 days left to view "Arshile Gorky: Redrawing Community and Connections." Our galleries are open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00, and this show closes on Sunday so don't miss it!

Explore the life, work, and legacy of Arshile Gorky, one of the most important Armenian American artists of the 20th century. Redrawing Community and Connections offers a compelling new perspective on Gorky’s artistic journey, exploring the people, relationships, communities, and places that shaped his life and work. Through this exhibition curated by Dr. Kim Theriault, discover the connections behind Gorky’s art and gain a deeper understanding of an artist whose influence continues to resonate across generations.

We are located at 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA. Please note, our galleries are open regular hours during the renovation/restoration of our exterior, but please pardon our appearance over the next month.

“Arshile Gorky: Redrawing Community and Connections” charts the artist’s evolution from an Armenian immigrant to a defining figure of modern American art.

09/22/2026

Soprano Marie Gabriel Arakian possessed a glorious voice of remarkable purity, power, and range. Her recording career began in 1942, following years of performances on radio, cultural stages, and her debut at New York’s Town Hall. She appeared with leading Armenian musicians and recorded a small but historically significant body of songs.

In 1948, after a car accident left her performing on crutches, she miraculously continued her concert tour in California. Arakian settled in Detroit, where she continued performing and teaching young vocalists. Though her recordings are few, they preserve the remarkable voice and musicianship of an important artist whose legacy continues to resonate today.

Special thanks to the SJS Charitable Trust for their generous support of our work to digitize and share our collection of 78 rpm records.

Explore the life of Marie Arakian, a celebrated Armenian soprano known for her stunning voice and significant contributions to the music scene in America.

09/20/2026

As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence on Sept. 21, we look to an object in our collection that captures a pivotal moment in history. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia embarked on the difficult process of establishing itself as an independent nation. The transition brought political, social, and economic change. Yet, alongside these challenges came the opportunity to shape the country’s own democratic future.

This ballot is a small but powerful reminder of that historic transition. It represents a moment when Armenians were no longer participating in a Soviet political system, but were beginning to exercise the rights and responsibilities of an independent nation. It was donated to our collection by Dr. Hayk Demoyan, one of our esteemed Academic Advisors.

Treasures from Our Collection, Where Every Object Tells a Story, is a video series sponsored by a generous donation from Michele M. Kolligian, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence on S...

08/29/2026

A day at the Armenian Museum is like being in a time machine. Trustee Levon Saryan visited the museum to donate several letters from his collection that range in date from 1830 to 1911. We invited Hayr Hrant Tahanian, pastor of St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA) to look at the letters and interpret a few of them since they were written in Classical Armenian (Krapar). It was a fascinating afternoon for our guests and staff to travel in time from Etchmiadzin to Worcester!

08/26/2026

Here's what Mark Feeney wrote in the Boston Globe about our current contemporary art installation: Moving and deeply personal, Diana Markosian’s “Father” runs at the Armenian Museum of America through Sept. 13. The museum’s Anahit Gasparyan curated.

Markosian was born in Moscow in 1989. Her mother abruptly relocated to California with Markosian and her brother seven years later. How abruptly? She left no word with her husband. Fifteen years later, Markosian began searching for him. That she eventually found him is attested to by a video and the very handsome photographs in the show. There are more than a dozen, most are black and white, some as large as 5 feet by 4 feet.

The extent of [her father's] suffering is apparent in the 55 letters and documents that Markosian has included. The show includes a selection of family snapshots in their original frames, adding to the sense of domestic intimacy.

Our galleries are open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm, and we are located at 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA.