TUMO is pleased to announce the third annual Vahé & Lucie Awards! As 2020 unfolds with unprecedented change, this program is more important than ever. Geared towards sparking creativity and innovation, the competition is open to TUMO students and alumni in five different categories: Arts, Technology, Music, Film and Photography.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions in the Arts category can include, but are not limited to, visual arts, graphic design, illustration, video, performance or conceptual art.
• Submissions in the Technology category can include, but are not limited to, software solutions, video games, websites, applications, robotics, mechanical devices or technical inventions.
• Submissions in the Music category can include, but are not limited to, recordings of an original song, works of music and conceptual audio art.
• Submissions in the Film category can include, but are not limited to, feature or documentary films, film art and animation.
• Submissions in the Photography category can include, but are not limited to, documentary and artistic genres. Single photos or photo stories are eligible for submission. Those entering separate photos may submit up to three. A photo story may include a maximum of fifteen photos.

Awards:

There will be first, second and third place winners in each category with prizes of:

• 1st place: 1,500,000 AMD
• 2nd place: 1,000,000 AMD
• 3rd place: 500,000 AMD

Submissions to the competition will be judged on creativity, innovation, technical achievement and skill level. The deciding jury will be comprised of TUMO staff, students, category experts and award winners from 2019.

*This year, at the initiative of the Vahé & Lucie Award participants, the entire prize of 15 million AMD will be sent straight to Artsakh through the Hayastan All Armenian Fund.

Competition Rules:

• Each participant can submit a project in one of the five categories.
• Group submissions are accepted.
• All submissions must be completed projects – concepts or ideas will not qualify.
• Individual winners of the 2019 Vahé & Lucie Awards cannot participate in the 2020 competition. However, 2019 participants who won an award as part of a group can participate in 2020 as individuals or part of a new group.
• Submissions can be made online by completing the form below.

Dates and Deadlines:

• The competition opens for submissions on May 16, 2020.
• The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2020 (extended until October 10).
• The winners will be announced at a later date.
• The award ceremony will take place on a date that is yet to be determined.

The Vahé & Lucie Annual Awards encourages TUMO students and alumni to innovate and make strides in their fields. The program was launched by Vahé Fattal in 2018 to honor his late wife Lucie. Since then, Vahé has also passed on, and the competition is now dedicated to both of their memories. On behalf of all TUMO students, alumni and staff, we are tremendously grateful to the Fattals for their vision and generosity.

Vahé was a painter and graphic designer who studied at the National School of Fine Arts in Paris. After working as an art director for major firms in Los Angeles, he established his own design and advertising agency. Its creative services included corporate identity and communications, advertising and marketing, motion picture and television campaigns, and motion graphics and branding. The agency’s clients included the “Big Five” Hollywood movie studios, National Geographic, Nissan, UCLA Extension and First Interstate Bank. For 18 years, Vahé’s firm was also ABC Television’s exclusive advertising agency.

Lucie graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a master’s degree in philosophy and French literature. She went on to take intensive French Language and Civilization Courses (CCFS) at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Vahé and Lucie met, lived and were married in Paris. They later settled in Los Angeles, where Lucie taught French before founding a travel agency in Beverly Hills. Her agency organized personalized international travel & accommodation services for the art world, entertainment industry and corporate businesses.

Throughout his life, Vahé was creatively involved in advancing Armenian causes and projects. He designed the raised-first Karabakh symbol and posters (1988) and the flag of Karabakh (1998). He helped establish the Golden Apricot International Film Festival (2004) and designed its visual identity. Vahé also designed the “Make it Happen” advertising campaign (2004) for the Armenia Fund Telethon and was the art director for AIM/Armenian International Magazine (1990-1992).

Vahé and Lucie shared a commitment to and passion for all things Armenian, education, the arts and exploring the world.