TPAM 2026
Sometimes, when talking with my designer friends abroad, we discuss how difficult it has become to reach an agreement with theatres on poster design. The reasons vary—from limited budgets to the diminishing importance given to posters, and from commercial considerations to differences in professional approach. We also talk about the dilemmas we face around AI—both for and against it. One thing is clear: the same challenges exist.
The THEATRICAL POSTERS – ARMENIA International Biennale is not only about theatre. It is about different forms of performing arts, collaboration, the importance of professional design, and a community that is often undervalued.
We have chosen a niche field, making our work more challenging, but we find reassurance in knowing that by encouraging designers, we also recognise clients who still value a good poster. In this way, we contribute to keeping this tradition alive.
I am grateful to our supporters, participants, team, and distinguished international jury. Your support and valuable time are the driving force behind the Biennale.
Edik Boghosian
Founder-Director of TPAM
Poster by Dominika Czerniak-Chojnacka, Poland (2024 Grand Prix winner)
The open call was announced on 17 February 2026. The deadline for submition was extended until 30 June 2026. We received 1708 posters from 844 designers across 75 countries. After a thorough review by the pre-selection selection panel, 203 posters created by 194 designers from 49 countries were shortlisted across two categories (commitioned and self promotion) which were shown in the competition part of the exhibition.
The opening and award ceremony was held on 10 September at the NCA Children’s Art Museum, and the winners were announced. The representative of the winners received the awards. The main exhibition was open for public in H. Igityan National Centre for Aesthetics’ gallery from 10 September to 30 September.
SUPPORTER
The pre-selection committee selecting the posters.PRE-SELECTION COMMITTEE (ARMENIA)
Nora Galfayan
Graphic Designer,
Cultural Manager
(TPAM Team)
Ani Arakelyan
Visual Artist
Gayane Yerkanyan
Typographic Artist
Vahan Balasanyan
Art Director, Mentor
Tigran Hayrapetyan
Graphic Designer,
Art Director, Photographer
INTERNATIONAL JURY
The shortlisted posters were evaluated by an international jury, who selected the award-winning designs.
Adrian Shaughnessy
(England)
publisher and educator
AGI member
Atelier ter Bekke & Behage
(France)
by Evelyn ter Bekke
and Dirk Behage
AGI members
Jumping He
(Germany)
Graphic designer and independent publisher
AGI member
Opening and award ceremony.GRAND PRIX
Lech Majewski (Poland)
BEST POSTERS
Anastasia Temirkhan (Switzerland)
Paulo Graça (Portugal)
Honorable mention
Ksenya Lustikova (Russia)
Aménéh Moayedi (France)
SPECIAL MENTION
Mane Yengibaryan (Armenia)
István Horkay (Hungary)
Encouragement diploma
Mikhail Lychkovskiy (Belarus)
Magdalena Wosik (Poland)
Xuening Liu (China)
Special guest had a lecture on 11 September (admission was free).
Igor Gurovich – Theatre Posters: Awaiting a Fourth Life or A Brief History of the Previous Three
Dr. Albena Spasova – The International Triennial of Stage Poster – Sofia
and It’s Campaign ‘The Letters of Bulgaria – Alphabet of Europe
Vahan Badalyan – Inclusion and Accessibility in the Arts
TPAM pop-up exhibtion held in Gyumri on 29 October 2026 until 13 November, 2026 at Gyumri Branch of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia (SAFAA)
All photos are property of ACT Cultural NGO, Photos by YantsImages and Ashik Hovhannisyan