Arts Acre

The idea behind ArtsAcre was to establish an institution dedicated to nurturing young artists in the field of visual arts. On 3 March 1984, sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar laid the foundation stone of a dream called ArtsAcre on a small plot of land in Gopalpur near the Irport.Inspired by artists commune prevalent in more developed parts of the world, ArtsAcre began as an Artists’ Village where visual artists from all streams lived and worked together, fostered by a community feeling. Gradually it crystallised into an institution of national standing. The campus became a haven for budding artists and a meeting point for men of letters. Its modestly-built original campus was inaugurated on 11th January 1987 by Nobel laureate Gunter Grass with an exposition of his drawings. The flame of enthusiasm that led to the first embodiment of ArtsAcre was rekindled in the early part of this century. The old dream acquired new wings with the desire to present an art facility of global standard to our beloved city. That expanded vision emerged as an enhanced and enlarged embodiment with our new spacious campus in New Town. The rechristened ArtsAcre Museum of Bengal Modern Art and International Centre for Creativity and Cultural Vision was inaugurated on 6 March, 2014 by Smt. Mamata Banerjee, honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal, in the presence of luminaries from across India like Mahashweta Devi, Dr. Karan Singh, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, PanditBirjuMaharaj, Anjolie Ela Menon and others, witnessed by an august gathering of connoisseurs from all walks of life, punctuated with a lyrical presentation replete with music and poetry. The flame of enthusiasm that led to the first embodiment of ArtsAcre has been rekindled. The old dream has acquired a new life. The concept has dream global attention and emerged afresh as a new enhanced and enlarged embodiment. A space where art lovers will experience a landscaped island of tranquility. Where the Painter’s brush and palette will result in meaningful fruition. ArtsAcre will be a lifeline for those who believe in art and feel for it. Designed by visionary architect and urban designer Partha Ranjan Das. ArtsAcre is a self-complete mini-city for artists and art lovers. A world-class integrated arts facility, ArtsAcre is an international centre for creativity and culture vision.