NAFA preparing to make Ceramic, Thangka hubs

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 20: The Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) has outlined various plans and programmes during its 15th academic council meeting held on December 15 and 16. 

Devendra Kumar Kafley, the Member Secretary of the Academy, presented a comprehensive working paper summarising the accomplishments over the past 10 months and highlighting the upcoming initiatives.

One significant endeavour is develoing Gadhawa Rural Municipality of Dang district in Lumbini Province as a ceramics hub and Sunapati Rural Municipality of Ramechhap in Bagmati Province as a Thangka Art Hub starting this year. The Academy aims to implement diverse programmes strategically across all seven provinces of the country, Kafley said.

Throughout the past 10 months, the Academy engaged in meetings with artists and art institutions in both the capital and the seven provinces, with the overarching goal of promoting Nepali art and fostering connections between art and the economy. 

Provincial Coordination Committees have been created in all seven provinces to enhance the efficiency and agility of provincial work.

Noteworthy achievements include the successful completion of the National Fine Arts Exhibition-2080, National Fine Arts Conference-2080, and other associated projects. 

Plans for the upcoming year include organising provincial exhibitions, conducting a comprehensive survey of Nepali art and artists to bring about a renaissance, and facilitating various workshops, programmes, and exhibitions in collaboration with various other institutions. 

Considering the rising climate change issue, the academy is planning to hold an art exhibition focusing on the impact of rising temperatures on mountains.

Additionally, the Academy plans to conduct studies, research and make documentaries of traditional historical sites and art heritages, publish biographies of artists, and organise workshops and programmess across various art forms to contribute to tourism.

Naradamani Hartamchhali, the Chancellor of the Academy, highlighted the academy's commitment to making long-term, impactful decisions regarding institutional structure, policy programmes at the economic and administrative levels.

 He emphasised that the success of these initiatives relies on the cooperation of all stakeholders.