Armenian authorities consider forming auction market for cultural  values

ArmInfo.  The Armenian authorities want to form and develop an auction market for cultural values in the country. The draft law "On the organization of cultural auctions" and a package of related laws were approved in the first  reading at the plenary session of the National Assembly of Armenia on  May 12.

As Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the   Republic of Armenia Alfred Kocharyan noted in his speech, the   development of the draft is conditioned by the requirement of the  program of measures to ensure the implementation of the strategy for   the preservation, development and popularization of the culture of   the Republic of Armenia for 2023-2027. The main goal of the presented  document is to modernize the cultural and creative spheres, promote   the development of the activities of authors in the field of culture   and creativity, and form and develop an auction market for cultural   values.

He added that in the case of Armenia, an opportunity will be created   to participate in the world market of cultural auctions. All   opportunities will be used to establish a dialogue between Armenian   and foreign artists and critics, a dialogue and associations will be   formed, which is currently lacking. In developing the document, the   international experience of France and Great Britain was studied, as   well as the procedures for organizing auctions of the international   auction houses Sotheby's and Crispi.

The package contains specific proposals to improve the situation. The   existing rules do not contribute to the development of the industry,   moreover, they can cause serious harm to it. The logic of the draft   being developed is to expand the capabilities of cultural   organizations, which will contribute to the formation of a culture of   holding cultural auctions, simplifying the rules for their conduct.   When developing the law, the obligations assumed in accordance with   international treaties in this area were taken into account. At the   same time, if the law is adopted, administrative liability will also   be established for violating the procedure for organizing cultural   auctions, and the relevant provisions will be enshrined in the   charters of the bodies as part of measures to ensure the   implementation of the law.

Cultural auctions occupy an important place in the world auction   system, ensuring the development of transparent mechanisms and tools   for the sale of works of art, the formation of the art market. In   this regard, cultural auctions are flexible platforms that shape and   reflect the changes and dynamic development of the art market.   Currently, the sphere of cultural auctions in the Republic of Armenia   is not developed, which negatively affects the formation of the   general market of works of art. In particular, the processes of   buying and selling works of art are not regulated, there is no   ecosystem of cooperation between art galleries and auction houses,   which is of great importance for the dynamic development of the  general art sphere, enhancing the artist's reputation and forming new   trends in art. At the same time, open flows and transparent movement   of works of art create opportunities for the state to control and   acquire cultural values that are important for the state.