The Art For Change Art Center

The Art Center Vision

An Art Center in the Himalayas which nurtures emerging artists and is a permanent home for our core Artist Residency Program, a space that intentionally integrates art-making with rest and nature for artists and public alike, that creates a long-term presence serving local communities and partnering organizations, and that establishes long-term financial sustainability ensuring the vision of Art for Change for future generations.

Background

We believe that art can change things! Art can change how we see our world, change how we see others, change how we see ourselves. Art brings people together and shows us who we are and who we are meant to be. Art changes us, and art changes society!

The vision of Art for Change is to see ‘art shape society with beauty and truth’ and to see ‘artists find their place in society and thrive.’  The primary engine to achieve this is the Artist Residency program which brings artists together in an intensely immersive environment to reflect and create in response to specific themes or social issues. These residencies result in transformative experiences for participants, and the impact is multiplied by meaningful engagement with vulnerable communities and sharing the resulting art in public exhibitions.

Over the last 14 years of operations based in New Delhi we have built a successful niche network among young emerging Indian artists typically from underprivileged backgrounds or artists who come to the New Delhi from regional art schools and live in cramped urban settings struggling at the start of their careers. We have also developed a niche opportunity for international artists seeking cross-cultural purpose-driven creative opportunities, which result in lasting friendships with, and international opportunities for, artists from India.

Need & Opportunity

For the past 14 years, Art for Change has achieved substantial outcomes despite operating out of rented facilities and on shoe-string budgets. We’ve moved 7 times in the past 14 years. In anticipation of our 15 year anniversary the board of Art for Change has felt the time has come to establish a permanent multi-purpose space to provide our programs greater stability, grow a long-term presence to serve local communities and partnering institutions, and establish long-term financial sustainability ensuring our vision for future generations.

A permanent space in a beautiful and natural setting also allows for opportunities to not just continue the work but expand it in scale, quality, and reach, for artists, local and marginalized communities, and the general public.

Vision and Purpose

The Art Center will give Art for Change greater stability, a purpose-built space, long-term presence to serve local communities and partnering institutions, and financial sustainability.

1. A Permanent Residency Program and Retreat Center: As an extension of our core artist residency program, the primary identity of the Art Center would be as a form of ‘artist retreat center,’ a space to gather artists from across India and internationally to reflect and create together in a naturally beautiful, mutually stimulating, and intentionally supportive atmosphere. We provide artists the tools, creative opportunities, and conversations that shape their art practices, and through their work, society. Drawing on our track record of artist residencies and our strong relational network among artists in Delhi and beyond, we want to provide a nurturing space physically, mentally, and practically for emerging artists from all walks of life to thrive and shape society. A particular impact of our Artist Residency program is the nurturing experience and supportive platform that artists from underprivileged backgrounds experience, with the network of deep relationships and resulting opportunities that inevitably result. A permanent Art Center will establish not just a permanent home for our residency program but a home and enabling platform for such artists at the start of their careers.

2. Integrating Creativity with Rest and Nature. The Art Center will be intentional in creating spaces and opportunities to experience rest and connect with the healing power of nature. The Art Center itself will be built and run as a set of zero energy buildings using green construction and locally appropriate materials and will be integrated with a small organic farm. The facilities will balance spaces for collective discussions and gatherings around meals with spaces for quiet and solitude. All programming will incorporate ideas of rest, play, creativity, and connection to nature. Besides the spectacular view, nearby hiking trails in Rhododendron and Deodar forests, and a natural stream 15 minutes away, low-intensity ‘Creative Wholeness’ retreats will be offered to under-privileged groups and the general public to integrate art-making activities with rest, nature, and working the land.

3. Serving Local Communities and Partnering Organizations. Art for Change continues its commitment to the marginalized and underprivileged as well as its service to the general public.  The Art Center will allow us to establish long-term relationships with the surrounding communities in Mussoorie and Dehradun. It will be a base for reaching out to the public through exhibitions and retreat opportunities, taking art-making to marginalized communities, running programs with and for partnering institutions such as schools and corporates, and supporting and promoting traditional artisans and regional culture. A long-term presence will also build up local patronage and financial sustainability.

4. Long Term Sustainability: At the moment we rent extra spaces for accommodation and studio work during larger artist residencies and exhibitions, besides renting office, storage, and studio space for our on-going programs. The Art Center will not only eliminate these costs (Rs.15 lakh or $20,000 in 2019) but also generate income. When not running artist residencies we will use the physical space for art-themed AirBnBs, renting out the facilities for corporate retreats, run a for-profit gallery & retail space, lease out space for a cafe, and run educational programs for local schools. In a very conservative estimate this will bring in Rs.30 lakh ($40,000) per year which will help cover other program costs, and allow greater financial sustainability and ability to plan long term.

5. Enable artists and ensure our vision for the future: An overwhelming majority of art college graduates choose a different career within two years. This is largely due to lack of opportunities to create, exhibit, find community, and sell their work. In our commitment to serve artists, particularly artists from underprivileged backgrounds, we hope to be a bridge at this crucial juncture between college/art school and professional art careers by giving opportunities to make and exhibit art, receive mentorship and join peer networks, and provide art materials, space, and honorariums for needy artists. In our commitment to seeing art shape society with beauty and truth establishing a permanent ‘home’ for this, and other essential activities, ensures and sustains the vision for future generations as well.

Function

The Art Center will be the primary program center for Art for Change, its administrative hub for activities both local as well as in other areas of India and beyond, besides being a center for income generation activities. 

We plan for the Art Center to have five main sections:

1. Welcome Area & Art Gallery

2. Office Space with Reception and Storage

3. Convertible Studio Space/Events Hall and a Library/Reading Room

4. Cafe/Lounge and Dining Area plus Kitchen

5. Artist Cottages to house up to 16 participants at a time 

Over time if needed we will be able to double our capacity by building a second floor on all buildings.

Location

Over the last seven years we have identified Mussoorie, and possibly Dehradun, as ideal locations for the Art Center. As the capital of the state of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is both a political and educational hub. A five hour road journey or 45 minute flight from New Delhi, Dehradun lies at the feet of the Himalayas and although a burgeoning city has areas on its outskirts that remain amiable, beautiful, and affordable. Just an hour’s drive up the hill straddling the first Himalayan range at 7000 ft is Mussoorie, a hilltown famous for its schools and natural beauty to which a number of Art for Change’s current leadership have strong ties and relational networks. Mussoorie is also a year-round tourist and retreat destination due to its natural beauty, snow during the winter, and cool weather during the heat of North Indian summers. With demand outstripping supply opportunities to generate income through residential and retreat facilities are only on the rise. We see both Mussoorie and Dehradun as ideal locations for the Art Center given their proximity and connectedness to New Delhi and thus the rest of India, their natural beauty, their many potential partnering institutions, and their opportunities to generate income.

Design

The design formulated at this stage is inspired by a combination of old school ashram and modern minimalist styles. Using green construction we plan to create an environmentally sustainable eco-system that integrates work and living spaces with reusable water and energy technologies to create a low to zero carbon footprint. The built environment will keep in mind our experiences of artists working together and the space needed for interaction, reflection, dedicated work space, recreation and rest, while facilitating a meaningful and interdependent connection to the natural surroundings.

Programs

A dedicated space will allow us to continue our regular activities as well as expand new ones: The Annual International Artist Residency, Local Artist Residencies, Made to Create Program, ‘Creative Wholeness’ Retreats, Art Melas, Gallery Exhibitions, Art Studios for long-term residents, Mentorship programs, Regional & Traditional Artisans Program, Seminars and Workshops for local schools, Collaboration Events, Artist Exchange Program, Library & Research Center, Corporate programs, and Rental of Spaces when not in use by Art for Change.

Building Program

Phase 1 | Year 1 - Raise funds and purchase land

We have launched a capital campaign with the goal of raising 60% of the budget internationally and 40% within India. We are conducting land research, and have been actively locating plots that would meet the requirements for the Art Center. Once funds for land have been raised we will carry out government registrations and finalize the purchase of a plot of land. Our goal is to complete the purchase of land by June 2023.

Phase 2 | Year 2 - Construction of initial buildings and start of partial programming

We plan construction in two phases, the first being construction of the main office/gallery/studio building and one artist cottage block with necessary fixtures and fittings to allow the launch of on-site programming for 8 residents by the end June 2024.

Phase 3 | Year 3 - Completing construction for full functioning of Art Center and full programming

During this last phase remaining buildings will be completed including the second artist cottage block, lounge/cafe and dining hall, and landscaping. This will allow for launch of full programming by June 2025.

Credits for Architectural Drawings/Illustration: We are grateful for excellent renderings done by Mani Makhija. She is an Art for Change Alumni Artist from the Mental Health Virtual Program in September 2020. You may get in touch with her at LinkedIn.

Testimonials

“I believe my experience last year in India was one of the most profound experiences of my life and I am so very grateful for it.” Kimberly, California, 2017 participant

“I cannot say enough good things about the people in and associated with this residency. We were magic. We pushed and helped each other create honest and heartfelt works of art. I could be completely vulnerable with each person verbally and visually.  Our impact on each other as a group continues today! I still keep in contact with most of the residents and I am making a vow to stay in contact with them.”  - Ashley, Indianapolis, 2018 participant 

“Living and working alongside artists of so many different backgrounds, practices, and life stories provided pathways for growth in the way that I understand the world and our global art community.” - Betsy, Budapest, Hungary, 2018 participant

“I don't even know how to do justice to explain how India and all those I've met and Art for Change have changed me internally and enlarged my heart.  It was amazing!  Art for Change cares for artists in a relational, real, and organic way and I fully support and respect their approach.  It was an absolute wonderment to be able to be a part of the residency and then continue the artistic journey with my new friends!!” - Elyce, Indianapolis, 2018 participant

“Doing life with these people, especially the Indian residents, caused us to grow closer together, and go from simply ‘co-residents’ to friends. Another aspect of these formed relationships was the artistic ‘mirror,’ meaning that by getting so close to these other artists—seeing their work, watching them work, their process, hearing them talk about work—became a clear indicator of how ‘other’ you were in comparison. At times this was scary (“I don't know if I fit in here....”), but in the end it was very validating.” – David, Indianapolis, 2018 participant

“The residency I was part of made me think about what I truly want to create and pass on.” - Navya, Jaipur, India, 2020 participant

“Art for Change’s programs have helped me see the world in a very unique way. I will not forget the vibe, the energy and what we experienced. I am not someone who gives compliments easily but when it comes to the Art for Change I can readily say how incredible it is!” - Samir, Orissa, India, 2016 participant

'Art for Change's 2020 Residency was one of the most organized and planned residencies I have taken part in. I got the opportunity to create alongside unique national and international artists learning about them and their practices. After this residency there was a big shift in my way of thinking. It became clear to me that through my art, I wanted to bring people together and form a better world, irrespective of all the  differences around us. - Sanjeev, Mumbai, India, 2020 participant