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    Katappult Pavillion Attendee

    Katapult

    Catalyzing Armenia’s creative economy

    Katapult Research

    Armenia boasts some of the most sophisticated artists and culture shapers in the world. To maximize the potential of human capital and talent, AGBU Armenia is working in partnership with Creative Armenia and with the funding of the European Union to invest in a new and critical program: Katapult Creative Accelerator Program.

    With the aim of vitalizing the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) ecosystem in Armenia, Katapult empowers creative professionals with education, entrepreneurial skills and visibility, and bridges gaps in existing support services, technology, institutions and infrastructure to ensure a sustainable and thriving cultural industry. 

    Showcases and Collaborations

    Showcases and Collaborations

    Promoting creative products and talents is critical to opening new opportunities and markets. Katapult Pavilion, will launch annual expos in and outside of Armenia attracting international audiences. In addition, Katapult Talks, a bi-annual one week virtual summit, will invite a global network of creative experts to share experience and insights on how to build up a sustainable and thriving creative industry in Armenia.

    Incubation and Acceleration

    Incubation and Acceleration

    Katapult will support up to 135 culture creators by investing and developing in at least 60 business ideas through the Artbox cultural incubator designed and implemented by Creative Armenia. Offering expert feedback in business design, project management, marketing and more, grantees will have the opportunity to introduce and sustain concepts as cultural businesses. 

    Cultural Institutions

    Institutional Capacity Building

    Infrastructure investments to support the technical and operational upgrade of cultural institutions in Armenia will be supported through Katapult's Innovation Grants. In addition, 3 Artbox Hubs across Shirak, Yerevan and Syunik will transform local institutions into cultural hotspots. Finally, Katapult will introduce the first FabLab in Armenia to facilitate digital prototyping and innovation for arts capacity building.

    Industry Development

    Industry Development

    Through roundtable discussions and the establishment of a Creative and Cultural Industries Council (CCI Council), Katapult will create public-private dialogue platforms to advocate for the sector and legislative change, with a target of proposing 4 concrete reforms to parliament for improving sector sustainability. The CCI Council will take shape as an online platform for direct democracy.

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    Katapult Connect
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    Katapult Promote

    Offering programs that promote Armenia’s arts and culture
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    Katapult Pavilion is the flagship annual event and marketplace of AGBU’s Katapult Creative Accelerator Program, showcasing a diverse array of products and projects from Armenia’s creative communities. The inaugural “Scenius” edition took place in Yerevan March 31 - April 30, 2023 and was organized in partnership with Hay Art Cultural Center and the ARé Performing Arts Festival, generously supported by the European Union.

    During the expo, over 130 Armenian creatives presented their work across various fields including visual art, creative technologies, design, architecture, fashion, print, and the performing arts. The exhibition took place at Hay Art Cultural Center, where we also hosted 59 events, ranging from workshops and performances to talks and interactive experiences.

    The expo attracted over 3,400 attendees from Armenia and other countries. Moreover, the event generated 8,400 Euros of sales that went to the artists, designers, and publishers showcase. The number of visitors and amount of sales are impressive especially  for Armenia and thus reflect the remarkable success of this event and the significant impact it had on the country’s creative communities.

    Katapult Talks is a series of panel discussions where creative experts share practical, behind-the-scenes industry knowledge that is seldom taught in educational institutions.

    The Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 editions commenced with two talk series titled “Investment in Creativity” and “Cultural Export: Expanding the Market.” Overall, these series featured four in-person panel discussions and six online discussions, with a total  of 36 experts who reached 4,407 audience. These one-hour sessions included topics about entering the global marketplace, developing creative infrastructure, and strategizing cultural diplomacy, informed by first hand experiences across the fields of design, tech, music, marketing, illustration, and animation.

    Katapult is committed to elevating Armenian creatives' presence in the media. Through strategic networking and partnerships, we have generated 61 articles in local and international press, showcasing the remarkable achievements of artists, designers, and performers. Our collaborative efforts celebrate Armenian creativity and inspire the next generation of talents while fostering global recognition for their innovative works. By promoting cultural exchange and creative expression, we aim to amplify the impact of Armenian creatives on the world stage.

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    Katapult Empower
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    Katapult Connect

    Developing networks that connect local creatives, government, investors, and the world.
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    Katapult x ArtNexus is a newfound partnership between AGBU’s Katapult Creative Accelerator Program and ArtNexus Sweden. The primary goal of this collaboration is to bolster cultural policy in Armenia by incorporating Swedish strategies while also expanding resources and opportunities to cultural practitioners. 

    The ArtNexus project aims to support [Armenian and Swedish] creatives and state actors by fostering exchange across the two countries. Through this initiative, both nations can mutually benefit from sharing insights, experiences, and expertise in the cultural domain. 

    ArtNexus is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and part of the Swedish Arts Grants Committee. To learn more about ArtNexus:  

    ArtNexus - Swedish Arts Grants Committee (konstnarsnamnden.se) 

    The following are events hosted by Katapult x ArtNexus: 

    March 4-6, 2023

    The Katapult Creative Retreat hosted an Intellectual Property (IP) workshop with the goal of assisting Armenia’s creative professionals with gaining substantive, transactional, and litigational knowledge and skills in the field of IP. Throughout the workshop, 16 lawyers received training, 15 creative cases were provided with consultation, and 29 case studies were examined.

    April 29, 2023

    “Intellectual Property and the Challenges of Technology”

    This Global IP Forum brought together businesses, the legal community, the scientific community, government officials, and individuals interested in intellectual property [rights] and technology. The forum discussed the latest trends, strategies, and innovations in intellectual property . It hosted six panels and masterclasses with 20 guest speakers, and 120 participants.

    The IP Global Forum was organised with the "Association of Armenian Intellectual Property Lawyers" NGO and was included in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) list of events taking place around the world on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day.

    At Katapult, we connect Armenia's Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) sector through three key initiatives. First, our multi-stakeholder committee, comprising representatives from relevant ministries and the European Delegation, fosters comprehensive collaboration and targeted focus. Second, we are actively working towards creating a cutting-edge Citizen Platform for the CCI sector, already making significant progress with a comprehensive strategy and impactful branding approach. Third, our data-driven research, including in-depth focus group discussions, an economic study, and national surveys, provides valuable insights to fuel the growth and development of the CCI sector. Moreover, we strive to build healthy relationships between the government and artists, creating an ecosystem of mutual support and encouragement. Through collaboration, innovation, and research, we are dedicated to propelling the CCI sector in Armenia towards excellence.

    Multi Stakeholder Committee:

    Within the program, a multi-stakeholder committee meeting was established, comprising 34 members from the Ministries of the Economy, High Tech, Education, Culture, Science and Sport, as well as the European Delegation. Three working committees were formed to address various aspects of the program.

    Citizen Platform:

    One of the primary goals of the program is to create a Citizen Platform for the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) sector. This platform will serve as a valuable resource to support and promote the CCI sector. During the first year, significant progress has been made, including the development of a comprehensive CCI platform strategy and the design of an effective branding strategy.

    Research:

    The Katapult Creative Accelerator Program is characterized by its data-driven approach. As part of this commitment, we conducted the first-ever extensive research for the CCI sector in Armenia. This extensive  research included the following key components:

    • 19 focus group discussions involving the CCI sector and related enabling sectors, with a total of 200 participants.
    • 1 in-depth economic study on the CCI sector.
    • 1 national survey with 400 responses, providing valuable insights into the sector's dynamics and challenges.
    • 1 survey targeting informal individuals involved in the CCI sector.

    This research initiative has yielded essential data and knowledge that will inform our strategies and decision-making processes to further enhance the growth and development of the CCI sector in Armenia.

    Publications:

    Explore our valuable resources and download our publications to enhance your knowledge and skills.

    Artworks Handling

    Author: Gohar Hakobyan

    Gain insights into the best practices of art handling. This comprehensive guide covers everything from transportation to installation, ensuring the safety and preservation of artwork.

    Download Artworks Handling

    IP for Creatives

    Author: Ani Davtyan

    This publication provides a clear and concise overview of intellectual property (IP) rights tailored specifically for creative professionals. Understand how to protect your creative works and navigate the complexities of IP law.

    Download IP for Creative

    IP Rights Case Guide

    Dive into real-world cases and practical examples to understand the application of intellectual property rights. This guide serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of IP law.

    Download IP Rights Case Guide

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    Katapult Promote
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    Katapult Empower

    Empowering individuals and cultural institutions through accessible resources.
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    A fab lab (fabrication laboratory) is a small-scale workshop offering digital fabrication. Katapult aims to empower CCI sector creatives by FabLab laboratories within the cultural institutions in Yerevan and other big cities in Armenia.

    Artbox is Creative Armenia’s signature program designed to incubate and accelerate creative ideas, individual careers, projects, and institutions with potential for commercial success. As a one year result, the program has incubated for 24 cultural businesses, boosted 24 entrepreneurs with in total 34 grants worth 160.000 Euro.

    The AGBU Katapult Innovation Grants prioritize equipment upscaling by covering the costs of purchasing and procuring new technical equipment for cultural institutions in Armenia. Our goal is to empower cultural workers with improved working conditions and innovative tools that enhance the quality of their performance and operations. By investing in technological equipment, we aim to strengthen and professionalize cultural institutions, enabling them to offer better services, experiences and products to the Armenian public.

    Anna Gargarian at ASA Forum

    ASA Forum: A Platform for Creative Industry Dialogue

    The ASA Forum brought together representatives of the creative sector, providing a platform for experience exchange and professional discussions with local and international experts. During the forum, two panel discussions took place, covering topics related to the legal frameworks of culture and cultural investments.

     

     

    Katapult textile academy

    7 intensive days | Between crafts and technology

    We are thrilled to announce the Textile Academy 2024 Bootcamp in Armenia! Intensive week of hands-on workshops with international and Armenian experts! We are preparing for the soon to be opened FabLab at the Gyumri State Academy of Fine Arts.

     

     

    Beyond data

    Katapult Pavilion: Beyond Data Exhibition

    Beyond Data invites eight artists and art collectives to interpret AGBU Katapult Creative Accelerator Program’s newly published research on the state of Armenia’s creative economy. Visitors can walk through, listen to, touch, feel, and contribute to parts of the research.

     

    Katapult workshop

    Katapult workshop

    Excited about exporting or bringing artworks to Armenia? Our guide, has you covered! Get all your questions answered. Our recent workshop collaboration with RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, ArtNexus, and Katapult provided expert insights on Art dealing, valuation, packaging, transportation, insurance and customs clearance!

     

     

    Katapult pavilion

    Katapult Pavilion at LEAF 2024

    At the Limited Edition Art Fair 2024, Katapult Pavilion showcased unique Armenian talent in the fields of print, sculpture, ceramics, and textile arts. This project is a partnership with The Main Design Store. It hopes to create a dynamic dialogue between East and West by sharing and positioning Armenian art within international discourse.

     

    Katapult Talk music era

    Katapult talk

    On January 17, we hosted a talk about music export and copyright, engaging in a dynamic conversation. We discovered beats that transcend borders and explored the symphony of copyright in the modern age. Katapult Talk is implemented by AGBU Armenia and made possible with funding support from the EU and ArtNexus Program Sweden.

    IP law

    Intellectual Property Consultation for creatives

    Association of Intellectual Property Lawyers collaborates with AGBU’s Katapult to provide training sessions and consultations for authors and IP stakeholders. The aim is to bolster legal understanding among creatives, fostering a culture that respects artistic intellectual property rights.

    Katapult_Talk

    Katapult talk

    On November 27, a virtual conversation took place on the Challenges and Opportunities of National Cultural Institutions and Agencies in the Digital Era. We explored how institutions and agencies can develop effective digital governance that balances innovation with accountability, transparency, and policymaking.

    Womex

    Katapult Pavilion at WOMEX 2023

    Exciting debut at WOMEX 23, October 25 - 29, 2023! 2,600+ music professionals from 90+ countries convened in A Coruña, Spain. AGBU's Katapult showcased 20+ Armenian talents, fostering global connections. Highlight: JINJ's stellar performance.

    Grant Applications

    Grants and relations with donors

    A series of workshops was conducted for creatives focusing on grants writing, led by the experienced workshop leader, Irina Mkrtchyan. During these workshops, participants delved into the various opportunities available and the specifics of applying for arts grants. Additionally, they discussed strategies for cultivating donor relationships.

    Fab Lab

    Living Art residency program

    AGBU's Katapult and FabLab Armenia on the 25 th of  August,  presented the  results from the Living Art residency program that took place from August 14th-24th. Workshop leader Florent Aziosmanoff, AI and digital art expert, guided a group of 10 artists to explore meaningful ways of integrating technology into their practice.

    MEDS Workshop

    MEDS Workshop

    MEDS took place in Gyumri with the theme Archquake. The workshop featured eight physical and two visual projects. One of the projects was HAY, designed by Kris Drieghe, Tinne Beirinckx, and Pieter Daenen, sponsored by AGBU's Katapult. HAY seeks to connect young designers with the agricultural landscape and traditional crafts.

    Katapult Arts Grants

    Conversation on Arts Grants

    Join Katapult Talks for an online conversation on Arts Grants with representatives from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and Creative Armenia. Panelists dived into the topics of how to submit better applications, and why grant giving to the arts was fundamental to any cultural ecosystem. 

    One Year Anniversary - Katapult

    Katapult marks one year since the program launch

    To commemorate the one-year anniversary of  AGBU’s Katapult, we shared the results of our nationwide research on Armenia’s Creative and Cultural Industries. The presentation highlighted the achievements accomplished in the first year and presented key findings from our economic research, national survey, and focus group discussions.

    A series of training about intellectual property

    A series of training about intellectual property

    Association of Intellectual Property Lawyers together with AGBU Katapult Program conducts a series of training and consultations for authors and individuals dealing with intellectual property. During the trainings, authors and creative individuals gained valuable insights into the provisions of intellectual property legislation relevant to their activities.

    MOU Signing

    MOU signing

    On the 12th of July, 2022 AGBU launched the Katapult Creative Accelerator Program, an EU funded project co-implemented with Creative Armenia to catalyze Armenia’s creative economy. The launch event started with the official signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of High-Tech Industry, EU delegation to Armenia and AGBU.

    AGBU has spent the last century funding Armenian creativity and cultural heritage preservation, from supporting cultural institutions like the Matendaran, the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and Artsakh Chamber Orchestra to supporting individual artists through scholarships, performance opportunities and the Creative Armenia-AGBU Fellowship program.

    Today, we are building on this legacy with Katapult to further impact our impressive cultural talents and vitalize Armenia’s creative economy. 

     For additional information about the program, please email katapult@agbu.am.

    Funded By EU-AGBU-Creative Armenia

     

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