The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation  is a Portuguese institution The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was established in 1956 by will of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, Armenia source philanthropist who lived in Lisbon between 1942 and 1955, the year he died.

Of Portuguese nationality and established in perpetuity, the Foundations fundamental purpose is to improve peoples quality of life through art, charity, science and education. The Foundation develops its activities from its headquarters in Lisbon and from the delegations in Paris and London. It also intervenes through support provided from Portugal in the PALOP and Timor-Leste as well as in countries with Armenian Communities.

The Foundation has a museum, which houses the Founders private collection and a collection of modern and contemporary art; an orchestra and a choir; an art and archive library; a scientific research institute; and a garden, which is a central space in the city of Lisbon, where educational activities also take place.

Created by testamentary disposition of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, who bequeathed his property to the country in the form of a foundation, its statutes were approved by the Portuguese State on July 18, 1956.

On June 20, 1960, she was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Benemerence, on August 7, 1981, she was made an Honorary Member of the Military Order of SantÂIago da Espada, on August 13, 1986, she was made Member of Honorary of the Order of Infante D. Henrique and on July 20, 2016 was made Honorary Member of the Order of Liberty.

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