Established against the backdrop of Kolkata’s rich cultural heritage and burgeoning art scene, the Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) stands as a beacon of artistic expression and innovation. This 70,000-square foot is dedicated to the promotion and development of art in all its varied forms at the multidisciplinary art centre. Founded in 2018 by art enthusiasts and philanthropists Mr RS Agarwal and Mr RS Goenka, the centre represents a convergence of artistic endeavours, providing a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase their talents. Its establishment marks a significant milestone in the city’s cultural landscape, aiming to foster creativity, dialogue, and collaboration across various artistic disciplines. Situated in the heart of Kolkata, KCC is located at the historic Emami Art Building in the vibrant locality of Anandapur EM Bypass.
Kolkata Centre for Creativity’s Mission
The primary objective behind the establishment of the Kolkata Centre for Creativity was to fill a void in Kolkata’s cultural ecosystem by creating a dynamic space dedicated to nurturing creativity and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. KCC encourages capacity building and skill development through research, documentation, conservation, display, and public engagement. In doing so, it also addresses global and local concerns. KCC acts as a hub where artists, thinkers, and innovators can converge to explore new ideas and push boundaries.
Components of Kolkata Centre for Creativity
KCC offers a wide range of services and programs designed to cater to the needs and interests of various audiences. The five-floored building is divided into five distinct spaces, each with its unique purpose. On the ground floor is the Emami Art Gallery space. The 10,000-square-foot space is perfect to host numerous major curated exhibitions by national and international artists. The state-of-the-art exhibition spaces showcase a diverse array of artworks spanning multiple genres and mediums. From traditional paintings and sculptures to contemporary installations and digital art, these exhibitions offer visitors a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of visual arts.
In addition to exhibitions, the Kolkata Centre for Creativity hosts an array of educational programs and workshops aimed at fostering artistic skills and nurturing creative talent. Catering to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, it provides them with the opportunity to learn from seasoned artists and practitioners. There is also a cafe and shop where one can savour global tastes while purchasing art and decor items. There is also a dedicated space for a conservation studio, a dance studio, an amphitheatre, and a library. They also provide 3D printing and laser cutting technologies.
Features of Kolkata Centre for Creativity
KCC serves as a vibrant cultural hub, hosting a wide range of events, performances, and festivals throughout the year. From music concerts and film screenings to literary readings and theatre productions, these events celebrate contemporary artistic trends and innovations. The numerous features of the Kolkata Centre for Creativity are designed to engage and inspire audiences. These include:
Conservation Lab
Kolkata Centre for Creativity provides consultation in the areas of collection management, conservation prevention, artwork storage, mounting, framing, presentation, packing, and transportation. The institution takes care of the conservation requirements of manuscripts, oil paintings, acrylics, mixed media, cloth paintings, metal sculptures, and paintings on canvas. More facilities for the conservation of stone, photos, textiles, and carpets will be introduced during the following two years.
KCC Art Library
Situated on the fifth floor, Kolkata Centre for Creativity’s art library has an array of 1700 books, 1000 art auction & exhibition catalogues, and 550 art periodicals. Members of KCC’s library can take advantage of its extensive collection. The collection covers a wide range of topics related to the arts, including architecture, interior design, performing arts, decorative arts, textile arts, metal arts, ceramic arts, glass arts, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic arts, and prints. Books on general topics such as history, social science, science, technology, literature, religion, and culinary arts are also available in the library.
AMI Art Festival
The annual flagship programme of the Kolkata Centre for Creativity is the AMI Art Festival. The AMI Arts Festival is the place to be whether you’re an art enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or someone who is just looking for inspiration. The festival’s highlights include presentations, panel discussions, film screenings, art exhibits, photography exhibitions, workshops, and an art bazaar in addition to performances of music, dance, and literature.
KCC Art Fellowship
The annual KCC Art Fellowship is another event held by the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, which aims to advance and broaden the conversation about many artistic fields. Through this program, they provide practitioners with the resources they need to own, publish research papers, and work on projects that will create new forms of artistic expression. It also helps cultivate an alumni community.
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