YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) proudly announces the third annual Vahé and Lucie Creative Competition, an inspiring initiative generously supported by the Vahé and Lucie Foundation. Building on the success of its previous editions, the competition continues to grow as a leading platform for student creativity and artistic expression at AUA, developed in collaboration with The Highlander, the university’s student-run magazine.
First launched in 2024 as the Arshile Gorky Competition and expanded in 2025 into a multi-category creative awards program covering student tuition fees, the initiative has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of artistic engagement within the University community. From its inception, students from The Highlander have been closely involved in developing the idea and supporting the competition’s growth. This year, the competition reaches a new milestone with the introduction of two additional categories and an expanded scope of participation.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the awards will feature seven categories: Comic Strip (Graphic Narrative), Music Creation, Photography, Filmmaking, Creative Prose, Poetry, and Journalistic Feature (Multiplatform Storytelling). Notably, the design category has evolved into Comic Strip (Graphic Narrative), reflecting a shift toward more narrative-driven visual storytelling. The addition of Poetry and Journalistic Feature marks a significant expansion, creating new opportunities for students to explore both literary expression and in-depth reporting.
This year’s theme, “Childhood Memories,” invites students to explore the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and spaces that defined their early experiences. Participants are encouraged to reflect on meaningful places such as homes, schools, neighborhoods, and playgrounds, and to capture everyday moments, routines, and traditions that shaped their identities. Through storytelling, visual art, music, and multimedia, students are challenged to evoke nostalgia while examining how childhood continues to influence who they are today.
With this expansion, the Foundation has also increased its overall funding to support a broader range of creative disciplines. Each category will award a $3,500 scholarship award for first place and a $2,500 scholarship award for second place, further strengthening the Program’s commitment to recognizing and supporting student talent.
The competition remains open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the 2026–2027 academic year who meet the minimum GPA requirements. Students may submit one original project per category, with all submissions evaluated based on originality, engagement with the theme, and technical execution. In line with the competition’s emphasis on authentic creativity, the use of AI-generated content is not permitted.
Submissions will be accepted through May 30, 2026. Selected works may also be featured in AUA’s student magazine The Highlander. An information session will be held on April 3, 2026 in Conference Room 133W, PAB, to guide students through the submission process.
The Vahé and Lucie Creative Awards continue to reflect the Foundation’s enduring commitment to education, artistic exploration, and Armenian cultural life. Through this growing initiative, the legacy of Vahé and Lucie lives on, empowering students to tell their stories, experiment boldly, and create without limits.
More information on guidelines and submission is available here.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.