CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST / COP17 ART COMMISSION

The United Nations in Armenia invites Armenian artists, muralists, designers, architects, collectives, and creative practitioners to submit concept proposals for the creation of a large-scale outdoor artistic installation to be displayed on the façade of the United Nations House in Yerevan in the lead-up to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which will be hosted by Armenia in October 2026.

This commission offers a unique opportunity to create a landmark public artwork that will celebrate Armenia's natural heritage while inspiring thousands of visitors, residents, students, policymakers, and international guests who will gather in Yerevan during COP17. 

The Challenge

Armenia is one of the world's biodiversity treasures.

Its diverse landscapes, ranging from forests, wetlands, alpine meadows and grasslands to semi-deserts and mountain ecosystems, support an extraordinary wealth of plant and animal life, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The iconic Caucasian leopard, bearded vulture, Armenian mouflon, Lake Sevan ecosystems, wildflowers and pollinators, ancient forests and mountain landscapes all form part of a rich natural heritage that deserves recognition, protection and celebration.

We seek an artwork that transforms the exterior of the UN House into:

• A powerful visual celebration of Armenia's biodiversity;
• A symbol of hope and collective action for nature;
• A pedagogical tool that encourages learning and curiosity;
• A landmark associated with Armenia's COP17 presidency and environmental leadership.

Artistic Vision

We are looking for bold, imaginative and figurative artistic proposals that:

• Showcase the richness and beauty of Armenia's ecosystems and species;
• Create an emotional connection between people and nature;
• Communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation in an accessible manner;
• Are visually striking from a distance while rewarding closer observation;
• Balance artistic excellence with educational values;
• Reflect diversity, coexistence, interconnectedness and sustainability.

The artwork should be colourful, vibrant, optimistic and contemporary.

We encourage artists to move beyond literal representations and propose creative visual narratives that tell the story of Armenia as a living ecosystem where nature, culture and people are deeply interconnected.

The Installation

The artwork will be installed on the exterior walls of the UN House in Yerevan.

As the building façade cannot be painted directly, proposals should envisage a semi-permanent artistic installation mounted on an independent structure or support system attached to the building.

Artists are encouraged to propose innovative approaches, including:

• Painted panels;
• Modular mural structures;
• Mixed-media installations;
• Relief elements;
• Sustainable or recycled materials;
• Other creative solutions suitable for outdoor display.

Detailed technical specifications and dimensions will be shared with shortlisted applicants.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to:

• Armenian visual artists;
• Muralists;
• Illustrators;
• Designers;
• Architects;
• Art collectives;
• Interdisciplinary creative teams.

Emerging and established artists are equally encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic quality and originality;
• Relevance to the biodiversity theme;
• Educational and public engagement potential;
• Feasibility and durability;
• Visual impact;
• Experience and portfolio of the artist or team.

Particular consideration will be given to proposals capable of becoming an iconic visual symbol associated with Armenia's hosting of COP17.

Submission Package

Applicants should submit:

1. A concept note (maximum 2 pages) describing the artistic vision and approach;
2. Preliminary sketches, renderings or visual references;
3. A brief technical description of the proposed installation method;
4. Portfolio and CV;
5. Estimated budget;
6. Proposed implementation schedule.

Timeline

Application deadline: 20 August 2026

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their concept to a selection panel composed of representatives of the United Nations.

The selected proposal will be commissioned for implementation during September-October 2026.

How to Apply

Submit applications electronically to:

uno.yerevan@unic.org

Subject line:

"COP17 Biodiversity Art Commission - UN House Yerevan"

A legacy for COP17

This artwork will stand as a visible reminder that biodiversity is not merely an environmental issue. It is the foundation of human wellbeing, sustainable development, culture, resilience and peace.

Through this commission, the United Nations in Armenia seeks to create a lasting symbol of the country's natural wealth and of our shared responsibility to protect the living world for generations to come.