The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Museum

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was established in 1956 by the will of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, a philanthropist of Armenian origin who lived in Lisbon between 1942 and 1955, the year he died.

A Portuguese organisation established in perpetuity, the Foundation’s fundamental purpose is to improve people’s quality of life through art, charity, science and education. The Foundation carries out its activities from its headquarters in Lisbon and its delegations in Paris and London, intervening through support granted from Portugal to the Portuguese-speaking African countries and East Timor, as well as in countries with Armenian communities.

The Foundation has a museum which houses the private collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, and a modern art centre, which brings together the most important collection of modern and contemporary Portuguese art in the world; an orchestra and a choir; an art library and archive; a scientific research institute; and a garden, which is a central space in the city of Lisbon, and where educational activities also take place.

In conjunction with its cultural events and activities, the Foundation fulfils its mission through innovative programmes, pilot projects, grants and subsidies for social institutions and organisations.

Group: Cultural Institution

Type: Foundation, Museum

Century: 20th century

Geography: Lisbon, Portugal

Latitude: 38.737553830061, Longitude: -9.1542678076908

Alternative names:

Contributed by: Armenian Heritage