TEHRAN -- Nearly 150 art 
venues across Tehran are hosting exhibitions and artistic events this week as part of “Tehran Art Month,” highlighting the capital’s extensive visual-arts infrastructure and the continuing vitality of its cultural and artistic scene.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), citing the Visual Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, 20 new exhibitions are opening in Tehran this week as part of the event. A further 30 exhibitions that opened last week remain open to visitors and art audiences.
Alongside these exhibitions, 100 additional art venues are participating in “Tehran Art Month.” In total, nearly 150 locations — from galleries and exhibition spaces to cultural and artistic venues across the capital — are hosting exhibitions or art events this week.
The scale and simultaneity of the activities offer a clear picture of the dynamism of Tehran’s art scene and the capacity of Iran’s artistic community to produce, present and engage directly with audiences. 
The continuation of this activity despite difficult economic conditions also underscores the role of art in sustaining the country’s cultural and social life.
The participation of nearly 150 active art venues across Tehran demonstrates that art remains a living and influential part of the city’s social life. 
Exhibitions and artistic events create opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas and participate in cultural activities, while fostering social connections and creativity and offering an alternative experience of the city’s everyday environment.
The event also gives residents an opportunity, within a relatively concentrated period, to encounter a broad range of artworks, artists and artistic practices, providing a direct view of part of the capacity of Iran’s visual-arts sector.
The continuation of such activities ultimately demonstrates that society’s need for art, beauty and cultural dialogue persists even during periods of economic difficulty. Art can continue to serve as an important element of cultural and social vitality and resilience.