There is a potential rise of the new age emerging art spaces in India. This trend marks a significant shift from traditional galleries to more dynamic, inclusive venues. These new-age centers are not confined to the metropolitan hubs alone but are flourishing in tier-II cities as well, bringing a fresh perspective to India’s cultural landscape.
Among these pioneering venues, Arthshilais one of such art spaces which is expanding exponentially in the length and breadth of the country.Setika Singh, the Executive Director of Takshila Foundation— the associate body of
Takshila Educational Society (TES), a non-profit working in the space of education, rural
development, art and culture discusses Arthshila in length.
1. Can you provide insights into the unique artistic offerings and programs that set Arthshila apart?
Arthshila distinguishes itself as an immersive platform dedicated to cultivating creativity and sharing artistic ideas. As an initiative of the Takshila Educational Society, it is India’s pioneering arts center open to the public free of charge, focusing on architecture, cinema, design, literature, performing arts, and visual arts across five diverse locations—currently functional in Ahmedabad, Santiniketan and Delhi, and coming up shortly in Patnaand Goa. Each location offers a unique array of curated performances, seminars, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and interactions, tailored to inspire and engage curious minds. Additionally, Arthshila publishes art-related content through its dedicated imprint that publishesbooks and a biannual journal Arthart, and hosts art residencies at the Arthshila Art Studios located at the Parivartanin Narendrapur, Siwan in Bihar. These initiativescontribute to Arthshila’s vision of uniting the arts and the community throughenabling platforms.
2. How does Arthshila contribute to the local economy and cultural development?
Arthshila contributes to the local economy and cultural development in several ways:
1. Economic Impact: By hosting various events, exhibitions, and workshops, Arthshila attracts visitors and tourists, leading to increased spending in the local area. Additionally, it creates employment opportunities for local artists, artisans, and support staff. The venue is free of cost for both the artists and the audience.
2. Cultural Enrichment: Arthshila’s diverse programs and offerings enrich the cultural landscape of the community. Through art exhibitions, performances, and educational initiatives, it promotes cultural exchange, appreciation, and preservation of traditional and contemporary art forms. This fosters a sense of ownership and identity among local residents and helps preserve cultural heritage.
3. Community Engagement: Arthshila serves as a hub for community engagement and interaction. By organizing public events, discussions, and collaborations with local artists and organizations, it strengthens social bonds and fosters a sense of belonging among residents. Additionally, Arthshila plays a crucial role in bringing curated art and cultural activities into tier 2 citieslike Patna and Goa, and smaller townships such as Santiniketan, which often have less exposure to art activities compared to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. This effort helps democratize access to cultural experiences and promotes inclusivity in the arts.
3. How do you manage funds as you are a self fundedorganisation?
Yes, we are a self-fundedregistered trust whose parent organizationTakshila Educational Society has built a corpusfor Arthshila Trust and its sustainability.
4. Can you share success stories or examples of how Arthshila has positively impacted an art form or artists?
Arthshila’s impact on art forms and artists is evident in various ways
Art Symposia and Art Camps: Arthshila has organized 16 art symposia since 2018, providing a platform for young students and senior artists to engage with art studios equipped with painting, graphic art,sculpture and ceramics facilities. For instance, the Arthshila All India Art Students Camp 2023 saw 24 students from 12 different art colleges across 8 Indian states coming together for a 10-day exploration of printmaking and ceramics. Led by esteemed mentors LipiBiswas and Arpan Mukherjee, this immersive experience facilitated skill development and creative exchange among budding artists.
Art Residencies: Collaborating with organizations like Khoj and FICA, Arthshila has facilitated various art residencies which have hosted 15 emerging artists. These residencies offer artists dedicated time and space to focus on their work, fostering artistic experimentation and growth.
Numerousfolk and tribal art symposia have been organized to convene synergies of traditional art practices from across the country. Our recent effort in this domain arethe Arthshila Seed Workshopsthat fosterjugalbandi between multiple varied indigenous art genres. Its first offering Arthshila Seed Workshop on Dhulichitran and Kashidakari 2023, invited artists from diverse floor painting styles—Dhulichitra, Aripan, PidiyaLekhan, Mandana, and Aipan—and traditional embroiderers—Sujani, Mochi, Kutch and Kashmiri—to exchange techniques and stories embedded within their craft. This cultural exchange not only enriched the participants’ artistic practices, but also preserved and celebrated traditional art forms.
Through the above initiatives, Arthshila continues to impact art forms and artists, nurturing creativity, fostering skill development, and facilitating cross-cultural exchange within the artistic community.
6. What are the future plans of Arthshila?
Arthshila has exciting plans for the future, aiming to expand its reach and deepen its impact on the arts community. Here are some key upcoming initiatives:
Expansion of Centers: Arthshila is set to launch two new centers in 2024, located in Patna and Goa. These new additions will further extend Arthshila’s presence and offer enhanced opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts in these regions.
Creation of Public Spaces: Arthshila is dedicated to creating public spaces where people can experience and engage with art, literature, cinema, and more. By breaking down barriers and reducing the gap between the general public and the world of art and culture, Arthshila hopes to make artistic experiences more accessible and inclusive for all.
Support for Young Artists: In addition to its larger programs and events, Arthshila plans to provide smaller experimental performance opportunities for young artists. These platforms will offer emerging talents the chance to showcase their work, gain exposure, and connect with audiences in a supportive environment.
Synergy with other Takshila Initiatives: Arthshila is committed to maintaining synergy with other Takshila initiatives. This includes hosting events like the exhibition by Takshila Fine Art Scholarship 2022 batch artists at Arthshila Ahmedabad, organizing literary session in collaboration with Ektara across different centers, and facilitating the movement of exhibitions and workshops between locations. By fostering collaboration between various Takshila endeavors, Arthshila aims to create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures artistic talent and promotes cultural exchange.
With these upcoming initiatives, Arthshila continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering artistic innovation, promoting cultural enrichment, and creating opportunities for artists and art lovers alike.
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