In these troubled times, thousands of artisans are have no sustenance post the lockdown. With many at the brink of starvation. JD Centre of Art (JDCA), though bogged down by its own share of lack of funds, has over the last four months worked to raise funds to provide immediate assistance to artisans in distress by reaching out to those most vulnerable through grass-root craft organisations to provide relief rations for a month.

JDCA as a part of the Creative Dignity movement that has brought together diverse creative producers, practitioners and professionals to provide relief and sustained prosperity for the craft communities.

Relief to over 2,100 Craftspeople in 14 Districts of Odisha

Odisha has an incredible cultural repository and yet is one of the most vulnerable states in the country. The lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic had a tragically adverse impact on many communities. In these trying times, JD Centre of Art has taken the lead to bring together more than 40 craft-based organisations and individuals that work with over 20,000 traditional makers, to provide ration relief. It has also partnered with other donors to provide relief to adversely affected masters of traditional art and craft.

Between May and September 2020, JDCA reached out to more than 2,100 craftspeople in 14 districts in Odisha to provide relief ration kits. This was made possible with the support of Goonj, Industree, Sumanasa and Bhuvana Foundation. 

To ensure that the rations reached the artisans, JDCA collaborated with 9 NGOs: Adventure, Mayuree, Odisha Rural & Urban Producer's Association (ORUPA), Anwesha Tribal Arts & Crafts, National Rural Development Council (NRDC), Puri Creative Handicraft Industrial Co-op Society Ltd, Society for Women Action Development (SWAD), Unnayan and Sambhav. Relief was planned meticulously, ensuring transparency with photographic documentation of the efforts to ensure that the ration reached all the vulnerable craft communities across Odisha.

There are still thousands of craftspeople in Odisha that need help. The monsoons have the predicament worse, but with your support, we can reach out to many of them.  

If you would like to support, please email us contact@jdcentreofart.org.

Forthcoming Events

238 Meet the Artist Programme 

(Our first Online Illustrated Lecture Series)
By Shri Adwaita Gadanayak, Sculptor and

Director-General of the National Gallery of Modern Art, on:
The Role of Art Centres in India.
Moderated by filmmaker and actor Nandita Das, Trustee, JDCA.

6-7 pm, Saturday, 12 Sep 2020
Registration: https://bit.ly/35oPAU7
Live on Zoom and Facebook
Zoom Meeting Id: 650 401 0686
Password: JDCA

Meet the Artist is a permanent in-house program of JDCA, uninterrupted till the Covid 19 lockdown. We invite creative practitioners, contemporary and traditional, scholars. To give an illustrated lecture to create an appreciation of all forms of visual art. Since 2001, 237 such MTAs have taken place on the second Saturday of every month.

We are delighted to restart the MTA in its new online form with a talk by Mr. Adwaita Charan Gadanayak, sculptor and Director-General of the National Gallery of Modern Arts. He will be speaking on The Role of Art Centres in India. This will be followed by a Q & A, moderated by Nandita Das, trustee, JDCA.

JDCA's Interior Design

The holistic design of the Centre, looks at art and ecology together through its building, museum design and materials.

JDCA has an eclectic collection of modern and contemporary art and as well as traditional art, craft and textile. The design of the galleries has been planned to bring these to life with embedded technologies to create a seamless experience. Exhibits will be have layers of interpretation with a bevy of materials shared through different media, digital screens, and panels, mobile and web based apps and a virtual museum. Our aim is to pique the visitor’s curiosity and create a wondrous experience that celebrates creativity through design that is modern and timeless, be it virtual or physical.

The design is also being planned meticulously keeping in mind a host of educational and programming activities that is also being planned.

Past Events 

Online Talks by JDCA's Chairman and Trustees

Listen to Her, a film by JDCA's trustee, Nandita Das

Listen to Her, a film by JDCA’s trustee, Nandita Das is a spontaneous response to the irony of “STAY HOME, STAY SAFE” for millions of women in India and around the world.

The film is adding its voice to a conversation that is much needed in the public space. It reminds us that speaking up is only possible when women know that there is someone listening. This pandemic has taught us that our lives are deeply intertwined, and so we must respond to the realities beyond ours.

Support the Arts, Donate to JDCA 

The JD Centre of Art will blur the lines, between arts and crafts, between artists and craftspeople, between creators and audiences and between adults and children. The Centre will bring traditional and contemporary art, all under one roof. As a living space, it will bring the art and craft communities closer to the general public.  

Its current activities include a monthly Meet the Artist Program and a biennial Film Festival on Art and Artists. They have continued to educate, inspire, and sensitise artists, art lovers and the public at large.

Come join us in this initiative and donate to the JDCA. The donation will help us survive during these trying times. With the contributions from friends and well wishers we hope to bring the museum alive as soon as possible.

See our past 36 newsletters since 2017 here or suscribe below.