The Albanian Visual Arts Network (AVAN) is a non-profit organization established in May 2024 aimed at representing independent art institutions in Albania. The organization received its first seed funding through the ArtNexus program of the Swedish Arts Grants Committee.
AVAN is governed by an interim executive director, Adela Demetja, and an interim board consisting Amantia Peza, Elian Stefa, and Sonila Abdalli. Interim advisors are Edi Muka, Magdalena Malm, Helidon Gjergji, and Driant Zeneli.
Founding Members
- 28 November
- Art House
- Art Kontakt
- Bazament Art Space
- Botime Berk
- Bulevard Art and Media Institute
- Destil Creative Hub
- Galeria e Bregdetit
- Minus Art Space
- Pararoja
- Parking Art Gallery
- Prag Space
- Satellite Zone
- The Albanian Cinematheque
- Tirana Art Lab – Center for Contemporary Art
- ZETA Center for Contemporary Art
Controversies
On 4 September 2024, AVAN interim advisor Driant Zeneli and interim executive director Demetja took part in the intimidation and physical assault of Albania-based journalist and curator Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei. The event was widely reported in the Albanian media and denounced by international organizations for media freedom. Zeneli furthermore has been mentioned as subject in the prosecution dossier concerning a sprawling corruption investigation against Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj and his wife Ajola Xoxa.
See also
References
- "The Network". AVAN. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- "ArtNexus in Albania". Konstnärsnämnden. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- CNA (7 September 2024). "The director of "Sparrow" threatened/ The Dutch Embassy protects the journalist who denounced the affairs in the Municipality of Tirana". CNA. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- "Dutch journalist threatened with physical violence for reporting on alleged money laundering". Mapping Media Freedom. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- "SafeJournalists: Intimidation of Journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei in Albania Must Stop". SafeJournalists.net. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- "Vendimi i plotë/ Si u bind gjykata për kontrollin në shtëpinë e Erjon Veliajt". Lapsi.al. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.