#TG Life
Foundation for Indian Art and Education and Goa University will be presenting Art Education in India: Challenges and Possibilities, a two-day conference on Art Education on March 4 and 5, at seminar hall, Goa University, Taleigao plateau. The conference is supported by Rastriya Lalit Kala Akademi, National Academy of Art, New Delhi, Kochi Biennale Foundation, Sher-Gil-Sundaram Arts Foundation
Art Education in India: Challenges and Possibilities will focus on the art scenario in India. Complex changes are happening in the world around us. Naturally changes in our idea of what constitutes art and art practice needs to be constantly revisited, re-assessed and re-oriented. However, this doesn’t always happen. Often institutions built to take it forward in one period become a dead weight drawing at a later period. Therefore, special efforts need to be made from time to time to examine the issues that plaque the system and search for a way forward.
This cannot be efficiently done in the absence of any pan-Indian data and we had none to begin with. A few years back following an art education conclave in Goa, FIAE was formed and it was decided to undertake such a basic survey covering as many art colleges in India as possible. As a part of this, the foundation has collected factual information of nearly 80 art colleges in India. A part of the conference, present seminar will be devoted to presenting the findings of this survey. While the survey brings the state-of-the-art schools into the public domain in a clearer manner, information alone is not sufficient to make the changes needed to be brought about.
A wider perspective and planning across interactive sectors will be necessary to make any planning for the future effective. With this in mind, a small group of experts from art education, museums and public art platforms, art administrators and fundraisers are invited to participate and exchange notes. The principals, art educators and other senior teachers of the art schools surveyed will also participate in the deliberations at the seminar.
The seminar will have a welcome speech by R Sivakumar, FIAE and Goa University followed by speeches of prominent personalities including Govind Gaude, minister of art and culture (Goa), prof Varun Sahni, vice chancellor of Goa University, Rajan Fulari, secretary, Rastriya Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, Bose Krisnamachari, Kochi Biennale Foundation, Vidya Shivadas, Shergil Sundaram Arts Foundation.
The keynote address will be given by Padma Bhushan Gulam Mohammed Sheikh. There will be presentations by Dr V Venu, presentation of the survey report by Indrapramit Roy, Q & A and overview of the survey report - moderated by R Siva Kumar and Indrapramit V Ramesh will speak on ‘PhD and Research’, Ravi Kashi on ‘Methods of Studio Pedagogy’, Sadanand Menon on ‘Art Education - The quest for an Elusive Critical Framework’ and a panel discussion will follow at the end of day one, moderated by Vasudevan Akkitham on ‘Art Education in India - Challenges and Possibilities’.
Day two, March 5 will begin with Sanchayan Ghosh speaking on ‘Alternative Practices in Pedagogy’, Pradosh Mishra discussing on ‘Issues and Problem solving’, Dr Manisha Patil explaining ‘Teaching Art History’, Dr Kirtana Thangavelu highlighting ‘Syllabi, Structure and Expectations’, Dr Rajkumar Mazinder pointing out the ‘Voices from the margin’ and Ruchira Das with ‘Creating Art Engagements for Young Audiences’.
There would be a panel discussion on Art in Schools, moderated by Indrapramit Roy where the panellists, Ruchira Das, Sujata Noronha, Sudesh Vaze, Naguesh Sardessai and Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar will discuss the scenario.
Open Mike will be followed by a speech by Nagraj Honnikeri, director Education and a vote of thanks by Prof Nandkumar Mekoth, Goa University with concluding remarks and vote of thanks by Indrapramit at the end of the session on the last day.
