The forced exile of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabagh calls for a rapid and comprehensive response to effectively integrate displaced people in host communities in Armenia and address their social and economic needs through targeted professional support. To empower the skills and know-how of the community of women carpet weavers from Nagorno-Karabagh, it is essential to create opportunities to harness their expertise and age-old craftsmanship within the local economy. Building on curatorial projects that empower women weavers in Armenia, AHA collective aims to launch an international residency program in 2025. Titled Weaving Culture, this residency invites visual artist Anna Boghiguian to collaborate with women weavers who have been integrated into host weaving organizations in Armenia. Through fieldwork in weaving workshops, production of contemporary carpets, and community dialogues, Weaving Culture aims to revitalize the ancient craft of Armenian carpet weaving of Nagorno-Karabagh, empowering women artisans and promoting sustainable economic growth. The residency will culminate in a major exhibition in Yerevan. Weaving Culture will amplify the voices of displaced women artisans through the collaboration of a Diaspora-Armenian contemporary artist, create lasting connections with the host communities, and contribute to Armenia’s cultural, social, and economic development.

The forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh created urgent social and economic challenges, particularly for women artisans skilled in carpet weaving. The residency program Weaving Culture aims at providing targeted support to this vulnerable community.

1. Provide displaced women weavers with economic support, visibility, and professional development through collaborations with an international contemporary artist.
2. Strengthen the resilience, social cohesion, and leadership skills of displaced women weavers in host communities through shared experiences.
3. Create a platform of research, exchange and creation between a contemporary artist and traditional weavers to innovate within the craft while preserving its authenticity.
4. Promote cultural sustainability by integrating heritage craft with contemporary artistic discourse.

1. Strengthened professional skills and integration of displaced women weavers in host communities.
2. Economic support and socio-cultural empowerment of displaced women weavers.
3. Innovation in carpet making, increased public awareness and appreciation of heritage.
4. Exhibition of contemporary works of the international artist in residence highlighting the intercultural exchange between the artist and the community of weavers.