TUMO is pleased to announce the fifth annual Vahé & Lucie Awards! Geared towards sparking creativity and innovation, the competition is open to TUMO students and alumni in four different categories: Arts, Technology, Music and Film.

Competition Rules:

• Vahé & Lucie Winners from previous competitions (both group members and individuals) are not eligible to participate in the 2023 competition.
• Each participant can submit one project in one of the four categories.
• Group applications must mention every participant (all participants must be either TUMO students or alumni). Non-disclosure of all participants will disqualify the application.
• All submissions must be completed projects – concepts or ideas will not be accepted.
• Participants will be required to submit drafts or other evidence of authenticity.
• Submissions should be made online by completing the form below.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions in the Arts category can include, but are not limited to, visual arts, graphic design, illustration, literature, video art, performance art or conceptual art, single photos or photo stories. Those entering separate photos may submit up to three. A photo story may include a maximum of fifteen photos.
• 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 or conceptual audio art.
• Submissions in the Film category can include, but are not limited to, feature or documentary films, film art and animation.

Awards:

First, second and third place winners in each category will receive the following prizes:

• 1st place: 1,000,000 AMD
• 2nd place: 700,000 AMD
• 3rd place: 300,000 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, category experts, and award winners from previous years.

Dates and Deadlines:

• The competition opens for submissions on April 13, 2023.
• The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
• The winners will be announced on November 10, 2023.

 

*This year, the Photography category has been merged with the Arts category.

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 away, 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 an artist 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.

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).

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, the entertainment industry as well as corporate businesses.

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