It's impossible to organize exhibits at the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts in the winter because the gallery rooms are not heated. Museum Director Papag Aloyan says heating has long been a problem for the museum. "Only the offices are heated. The museum needs major repair. By heating the offices, internal organizational work can be carried out: research or work tied to funds."

Papag Aloyan

The three-storey building is 65 meters in length, which, according to the director, means huge expenses for renovation.

"Two year ago, we made calculations; the financial expenses are quite large and the local budget can't sustain them. But we're searching for sponsors. Both the local [municipal] authorities, the Ministry of Culture, and the [country's] ruling authorities are aware, and I hope that such a museum won't be overlooked, and the heating problem will be solved," he said. 

Ten years ago, with the help of the municipal authorities, the roof, bathroom, main entrance door, and the offices were repaired. In February 2013, the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts, out of other community museums in Armenia, won first prize — a monetary award from the culture ministry. "The ministry is likewise aware [of the heating problem] and likewise takes an interest in not only the museums that belong to it, but also community museums, for which we are grateful. That money encouraged us greatly," says Aloyan. 

According to the director, the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts also collaborates with other, international museums: "The museum has long brought its operating activities out of the boundaries of the community, the province, and even Armenia. Several times we've been invited to participate in international conferences; that is, people have come here, seen our work, and then wanted us to present our experience, our work to them."

Twenty events and exhibits were organized at the museum in 2013. Aloyan says that after each exhibit, the artists donate some of their work to the museum, which already has 1,700–1,800 works. The second floor is dedicated entirely to the works of Vanadzor painters. There is no lack of visitors, the director says: on the opening day of exhibits there are 200 visitors; and overall, 400 to 500 visitors (per exhibit).

Events are also organized for people with disabilities. In showing the museum's work to people with disabilities, the digital version of the museum's entire collection solves the problem of getting visitors with mobility issues to the third floor. 

"We don't have a problem with staffing; we are grateful to our city hall: whatever we needed at the time, we asked for, and we have today. We have ushers, researchers, and a research secretary; that is, the work is completely in process; each person does his or her work normally; we don't have a need to increase [our staff], knowing as well the budget expense. On the contrary, we are grateful that it's been two or three years that there have been cuts in nearly all institutions, but they haven't bothered us about that. God praise that in 2014, as well, they don't bother us about that," says Aloyan.

 This year is the museum's 40th anniversary. "We have programs; the museum catalogue is nearly ready, but we all know that printing such catalogues costs a lot of money. We don't have that money now, and we don't know how we'll procure the funds, but we would like the 40-year-old museum to have its catalogue," concludes the director.