Armenian Heritage Foundation Inc.
Coming Together on Common Ground
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
RECONFIGURATION OF ABSTRACT SCULPTURE
Annually, the Abstract Sculpture, a split rhomboid dodecahedron made of steel and aluminum, is reconfigured, symbolic of all who pulled away from their country of origin and came to these Massachusetts shores, establishing themselves in new and different ways. In early Spring, a crane lifts and pulls apart the two halves of the split rhomboid dodecahedron and reconfigures the two halves to create a new sculptural shape. “…. the Abstract Sculpture shows how public art becomes a part of the city...public art that is both permanent and alive..." - Joanna Weiss, The Boston Globe The Abstract Sculpture sits atop a Reflecting Pool. The water of the Reflecting Pool washes over its side and re-emerges as a single jet of water at the Labyrinth’s center, representing hope and rebirth. The Labyrinth, a circular winding path paved in grass and inlaid stone, celebrates life's journey. Art, Service, Science, Commerce are etched around its circle in tribute to contributions made to American life and culture. There are twenty-five annual configurations, documented in detail in a manual prepared by the Park’s architect/designer for the rigger. The manual is on file at the offices of the Foundation and The Greenway Conservancy. The annual reconfiguration is supported by the Park's Endowed Fund for the Annual Reconfiguration of the Abstract Sculpture, a gift of Charles and Doreen Bilezikian.
COMMEMORATIONS
Remembrance at the Park, planned by the Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee, honors the memory and pays tribute to the lives lost during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, serving also to "reflect on the lessons it holds for our lives today.” Walk Against Genocide, planned by the Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur, is a two-part program that begins at the New England Holocaust Memorial and ends at the Park. Speakers at both sites address the genocides during the 20th and 21st centuries The inscription on the Reflecting Pool upon which the Abstract Sculpture sits reads: “Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have offered hope and refuge for immigrants looking to begin new lives. This park is a gift to the people of the Commonwealth and the City of Boston from the Armenian-American community of Massachusetts. This sculpture is offered in honor of the one and one-half million victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. May it serve in remembrance of all genocides that have followed, and celebrate the diversity of the communities that have re-formed in the safety of these shores."
WELCOME RECEPTION
The Welcome Reception for New Citizens, Their Families & Friends follows Naturalization Ceremony at historic Faneuil Hall is in keeping with a key theme of the Park to acknowledge the history of Boston as a port of entry for immigrants worldwide and to celebrate the immigrant experience and contributions to the richness of American life and culture. Always a highlight, the Welcome Reception is offered in collaboration with the City of Boston Office of Health & Services- Office of Immigrant Advancement, Armenian Museum of America; The Bostonian Society/Old State House; The Eliot K-8 Innovation School/Boston Public School, Greenway Conservancy; International Institute of New England; Irish International Immigrant Center; and Museum of Fine Arts among others.Festivities include the 12-piece Black Sea Salsa Band, luscious refreshments, and welcome gifts for the new citizens including free one-year memberships to the Museum of Fine Arts, Old State House and Armenian Museum, and rides on the Greenway Carousel. Fourth grade students from The Eliot K-8 Innovation School Boston Public School in the North End join us to welcome the new citizens, bringing such warmth and enthusiasm. The Welcome Reception is supported by the Park's Endowed Fund for Public Programs, a gift of Anna and Noubar Afeyan.
CELEBRATE PUBLIC ART!
Celebrate Public Art! a two-part program during ArtWeek, highlights the key features of the Park: World Labyrinth Day: Walk as One at 1pm - joining people in cities and towns in 35 countries worldwide "walking as one" in peace and harmony" followed by the Reception to View the Abstract Sculpture’s New Configuration - featuring an arts leader speaking about public art and the significance of the Abstract Sculpture, and Tea & Desserts, supported by the generosity of gifts-in-kind. "In the heart of Boston, there is a fantastic and creative little park...The features are, simply put, works of art...in the heart of an otherwise very busy city...the shape-changing split dodecahedron, like memory is constantly changing... allows us to each make it our own...a living piece of art, celebrating life….the embodiment of living memory..." Wanderlust Americana
LECTURE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The Najarian Lecture on Human Rights held at historic Faneuil Hall is intended to advance understanding of human rights issues and societal abuses worldwide, and to increase awareness of the work of individuals and organizations so that we are all more actively involved. The setting is in tribute to the New England women and men – intellectuals, politicians, diplomats, religious leaders and ordinary citizens - who, beginning in the 1890s at Faneuil Hall, heard the eyewitness accounts of the atrocities taking place against the Armenian minority of the Ottoman Empire during the First World War and spoke passionately about the urgent need for intervention. Philanthropists nationwide raised over $100 million in aid. This was America’s first international human rights movement. The Endowed Lecture on Human Rights is a gift of by K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, M.D. in honor of Dr. Najarian’s father, “as he taught so many about the need to pay attention, spot injustice and speak out wherever and whenever it occurs”. A Reception follows at The Bostonian Hotel.
Where we work
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Prior to the Park’s construction, the Park’s architect/designer described how he envisioned a moment at the Park: “Just imagine: We are now standing at the edge of an extraordinary little park. Here at mid-day, the walking labyrinth at the park’s center has attracted both North End residents and visitors from Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Some are thoughtfully following its meandering path while a number of children are skipping around the path toward the water jet at its center. Some, shedding their flip-flops, are splashing about with squeals of delight. In contrast, many dressed for downtown’s business have settled on a bench with brown bag lunch, clearly enjoying the activity before them.” The Park was designed to celebrate the immigrant experience, acknowledging contributions made to American life and culture in the Arts, Science, Commerce and Service (etched in the labyrinth’s circle) all while encouraging all ages, all people to come together on common ground. The Park’s Abstract Sculpture, a split rhomboid dodecahedron made of steel and aluminum, is symbolic of all who pulled away from their country of origin and came to these Massachusetts shores, establishing themselves in new and different ways. It sparks great interest with its annual reconfiguration and new sculptural shape. The Abstract Sculpture sits atop the Reflecting Pool and is dedicated to lives lost during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 and all genocides that have followed. “…. the Abstract Sculpture …does what so many others do not: It represents life. The changing nature of the shape each year -- coupled with children running and laughing along the Labyrinth and through the Fountain -- facilitates the development of new memories while allowing remembrance of the past’” - Lucas Cowan, Public Art Curator, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy The water of the Reflecting Pool washes over its side and re-emerges as a single jet of water at the Labyrinth’s center, representing hope and rebirth. The Labyrinth, a circular winding path paved in grass and inlaid stone, celebrates life's journey. Art, Service, Science, Commerce are etched around its circle in tribute to contributions made to American life and culture. Many walk the Labyrinth daily or stop to view the Abstract Sculpture new configuration or sit on a bench to enjoy lunch, engage in conversation or just for a quiet moment in an otherwise busy city. Further, the Park celebrates Boston as a “Welcoming City”, a city that has been built through the vision and labor of immigrants. The Park will long stand as a unique testament to the contributions of immigrants to our nation and a permanent symbol of the warm welcome extended to newcomers and people from all nations of the world by our City and our Commonwealth.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
First and foremost, the Foundation benefits from capable leadership dedicated and committed to presenting Public Programs that encourage people to come together on common ground. The Foundation further benefits from numerous collaborators and partners, who come together with the Foundation to “celebrate what unites and connects us.” Programs have been extraordinarily well-received by the City and the Commonwealth. They draw the participation and interest of those working and living nearby; members of the communities throughout Boston, New England and beyond; visitors from all over the world; and numerous collaborators and partners. Details on many Public Programs may be found in the Programs section. Further, as a new initiative to encourage young children to “celebrate what unites and connects us,” an innovative curriculum, Geometry As Public Art: Telling A Story, has been newly developed in collaboration with the Boston Public Schools piloted at The Eliot K-8 Innovation School. The Foundation is also committed to caring for and maintaining the Park in perpetuity. always respectful of its design and each of its design features that pay special tribute to the immigrant experience.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Foundation is uniquely positioned to continue to successfully meet its mission quite simply because of its core asset — Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway. As a volunteer-driven organization, the Foundation benefits from dedicated supporters, committed Friends, and many who share their professional expertise and offer gifts-in-kind. Collaborations add immeasurably to engage and broaden our reach, most notably our partnerships and collaborations with Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, City of Boston and the Commonwealth in addition to ArtWeek, HubWeek, numerous corporations, and other like-minded organizations. “In the heart of Boston, there is a fantastic and creative little park...The features of the park are, simply put, works of art...in the heart of an otherwise very busy city...the shape-changing split dodecahedron, like memory is constantly changing... allows us to each make it our own...a living piece of art, celebrating life....the embodiment of living memory..." - Wanderlust Americana
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The initial goals of the Foundation were to design and raise funds to construct a Park on the Greenway and endow funds to support the annual reconfiguration of the Abstract Sculpture, Lecture on Human Rights at Faneuil Hall and public programs. While those goals have been accomplished, a key remaining goal is to now fully endow the Park’s Fund for Care and Maintenance. Presently, a campaign is underway. “Luckily, the project had a designer…who was sensitive to the imperatives of civic space…the design uses abstract, geometric forms…it evokes the broader historic struggles of all immigrants…offers multivalent possibilities for interpretation shaped by visitors’ own histories…” - Jane Whitehead. Forget Me Not. ArchitectureBoston. Boston Society of Architects
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Armenian Heritage Foundation Inc.
Board of directorsas of 07/22/2021
James M. Kalustian
member at large
Term: 2005 -
Greg Afarian
St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley
Ara Arakelian
Friends of Armenian Culture Society
Aram Arkun
Tekeyan Cultural Association
Ara Balikian, Esq.
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Rev. Antranig Baljian
Knights of Vartan
Anthony Barsamian, Esq.
Armenian Assembly of America
Houry Boyamian
St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School
Yervant Chekijian
National Association for Armenian Studies & Research
Lena Chouljian
Homenetmen
Maral DerTorosian
Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church, Belmont
Stepan Dulgarian, Jr.
Armenian National Committee
Ara Ghazarian
Armenian Cultural Foundation
Joyce Jones
Hai Guin Scholarship Association
Arto Kurkjian
Boston Society of Istanbul Armenians
Eva Medzorian
Daughters of Vartan
Martha Mensoian
Armenian Women's Welfare Association
Manuel Parseghian
Hamazkayin Cultural Association
Harold Partamian
Armenian American Pharmacists' Association & Corporal Paul S. Marsoubian AMVETS Post 41
Stepan Piligian
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, Framingham
Scott Sahagian
Armenian Church at Hye Point, Haverhill
Richard Sahagian
Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, Cambridge
Ronald Sahatjian
First Armenian Church, Belmont
Ken Samuelian
Council of Armenian Executives
Tsoleen Sarian
Armenian Memorial Congregation Church, Watertown
Zarouhi Sarkisian
Armenian International Women's Association
Silva Sedrakian
Armenian Relief Society, Leola Sassouni
Rev. Aram Stepanian
St. Asdvadadzin Armenian Church, Whtinsville
Siran Tamakian
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Rev. Aved Terzian
Armenian Church of Our Savior, Worcester
Susan Tikiryan
Armenian Relief Society
John Aharonian
Hemenway & Barnes Chair, Investment Committee
Jack Medzorian
member-at-large
Jack Pilibosian
member-at-large
Zareh Zurabyan
member at large
Walter Nahabedian, Vice President
member at large
Lucy Hoosian, Clerk
St. Stephen's Armenian Church, Watertown
Kasper Torosian, Assistant Clerk
member at large
Karen Dederyan, Treasurer
St. James Armenian Church, Watertown
Bruce Bagdasarian, Esq, Vice President
Armenian Museum of America
James Kalustian, President
member-at-large