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HISTORY AND VISION
2005 / The Inception of AAMI
The AAMI concept is born in the Murn family home, marking the beginning of a visionary cultural initiative led by Miha Murn.
2005 – 2010 / Establishing the Foundation
AAMI organises several exhibitions, initially exhibiting the works of Miha Murn before expanding to other artists. Early projects take place in Ljubljana, Graz, Trieste, Zurich, and London.
2010 – 2013 / Strengthening Partnerships and Building Cultural Bridges
AAMI expands its collaborative network, working with Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, the United Nations, student and high school organisations, ZPM Slovenia, social centres, youth parliaments, educational institutions, municipalities, hotels, and restaurants.AAMI begins structuring its platform, recruiting early members, and establishing partnerships, laying the groundwork for future expansion.
2014 / Expansion into Commercial Spaces
AAMI takes over the SiTi ART Store, a gallery promoting emerging artists. The organisation relocates its headquarters to the Crystal Palace in BTC City Ljubljana, which remains the heart of AAMI’s operations until 2020. BTC d.d. becomes AAMI’s general partner, playing a key role in its accelerated growth. By the end of the year, AAMI officially launches a platform dedicated to revitalising vacant spaces with exhibitions, lectures, workshops and social events.
2015 / Growing Through Events and Business Strategy
AAMI organises over 10 exhibitions, a graphic design seminar, a fashion show, a photography workshop, four business gatherings, and 30 smaller events. This year also sees the establishment of two exclusive clubs: the private business-oriented Botticelli Club and the public cultural Salvador Club. On 2 September 2015, Institute Atelje Art Murn International is established. AAMI is officially institutionalised, marking a key milestone in its professional and legal development.
2016 / Building Diplomatic and Global TiesInternational Networks
AAMI organises 20 lectures, 30 exhibitions, and 15 business gatherings, initiating collaborations with foreign embassies. By year-end, the organisation operates across 10 galleries. To celebrate the first anniversary of the Institute, AAMI hosts an exhibition featuring over 50 artists under the honorary patronage of the President of Slovenia, Mr Borut Pahor.
2017 / Spatial Expansion and ART Expo Ljubljana
AAMI secures over 6,000 m² of exhibition space across partner venues. Institute AAMI Prague is launched with a two-month exhibition at Quadrio Centre. The Bumerang 7 project deepens cultural exchange between Czech and Slovenian artists. The first ART Expo Ljubljana takes place, bringing together 146 exhibitors from 15 countries, over 100 companies, and 70 events across 14 days in BTC City Ljubljana. BTC d.d. remains a key supporter of this milestone event.
2018 / International Expansion and New Cultural Concepts
AAMI organises exhibitions in Milan, Vienna, Ibiza, Hong Kong, Prague, Bangalore, and London. A pop-up gallery opens in Amsterdam. New partnerships are established in China, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, the UK, and Italy. New projects debut, including the Drive-In Gallery, the Rambutan Project, and the AAMI Times cultural newspaper. All AAMI entities unite under the AAMI Corporation brand. The AAMI Foundation is launched, alongside the private Atelje Art Murn International Collection, featuring over 500 artworks. By year-end, AAMI includes over 45 team members worldwide.
2019 / Relocation and Global Project Expansion
AAMI relocates its headquarters within the Crystal Palace, Ljubljana. Strategic collaborations are established with the TIA Summit and AAMI Exchange Advisors. Megagraf Ltd. becomes part of AAMI Corporation. International projects are held in Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, Budapest, Amsterdam, and Moscow. The second edition of ART Expo Ljubljana spans two venues – the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre and BTC City Ljubljana – featuring over 350 artists from 32 countries and 80 events across five days.
2020 / Establishing AAMI London
On 20 January 2020 at 20:20, Institute AAMI London is officially launched, joining Ljubljana, Prague, and Hong Kong as an AAMI location. The inaugural event features 20 international artists and a cultural programme.
2021 / Presence at World Expo Dubai and New Ventures
AAMI presents itself at World Expo Dubai 2021. Miha Murn establishes the Rotary Club Ljubljana International, further integrating AAMI into global business and philanthropic networks. AAMI also opens a new gallery in BTC City Ljubljana.
2022 / Entering New Markets: Hungary, Japan, and Morocco
AAMI expands to Budapest, marking its entry into Hungary. New projects are launched in Prague, London, Japan, and Marrakech, broadening AAMI’s international influence.
2023 / Art Conference and Expansion into Cyprus
AAMI organises the First International Conference for Art in Slovenia, in collaboration with Christie’s auction house, marking the release of the MGM Monograph. The third edition of ART Expo Ljubljana is held at Brdo Estate, featuring over 2,000 artworks, 350 artists, and 150 partner companies. AAMI expands into Cyprus.
2024 / Landmark Exhibitions and Strategic Growth
AAMI organises its largest exhibition to date, the MGM Echoes Exhibition, a four-month display at Miart Gallery in St James’s, London, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Miha Murn. The Salvador Club continues to expand, welcoming numerous international artists. AAMI Times UK is launched, marking AAMI’s entry into the UK cultural media sector. The organisation opens new headquarters in Ljubljana, begins operations in Monaco, and debuts the first ART Expo Trieste, featuring over 1,500 artworks, 250 artists, and more than 80 partner companies.
2025 / Expansion into the UAE, Digital Transformation, and New Frontiers
AAMI prepares for expansion into the United Arab Emirates and initiates a full-scale digital transformation across all departments. We are organising ART Expo Ljubljana and launching a hospitality project in the Adriatic region. Updates are being implemented across all annual events and programmes, with over 100 events anticipated in 2025. Preparations are underway for our next major project in Austria, ART Expo Graz 2026.
2026 / ART Expo Graz, Global Expansion, and Creative Innovation
AAMI will organise two biennales: ART Expo Graz, taking place in the spring at the Seifenfabrik Veranstaltungszentrum, and the next edition of ART Expo Trieste, scheduled for the end of the year. More than five international projects will be launched, alongside new editions that further develop the ART Expo International brand. By 2026, AAMI Times will be distributed in over five countries, and continued development of AAMI’s graphic design, printing and photography departments will take place.
2027 / European Expansion and AAMI City Development
AAMI will focus on establishing new locations for projects in Monte Carlo, Geneva, Vaduz and Luxembourg, particularly under the ART Expo International programme. In parallel, the organisation will begin the second phase of its AAMI City development concept.
2030 / AAMI Mega building
We will commence construction on the first phase of AAMI City, beginning with a single building in Slovenia that embodies everything AAMI stands for. This building will feature galleries, offices for creative departments, design shops, a café, a restaurant, and much more.
2035 / AAMI City
Following the successful implementation of all AAMI elements within a single building, we will begin the development of AAMI City, comprising 24 buildings that will form a unique cultural town in Europe. This concept will later serve as a model for other cities, allowing them to join the initiative and establish new cultural hubs in different countries.
2045 / AAMI Towers
By 2045, AAMI will have completed a worldwide network of AAMI Cities, integrating arts departments into various business industries. At this stage, the concept of AAMI Towers will be introduced—serving as the headquarters for all AAMI Cities across the globe. These two towers, connected by a bridge, will symbolise the synergy between business and the arts: one tower representing various industries, the other dedicated to all artistic disciplines, with the bridge embodying the connection that AAMI Corporation fosters worldwide.
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