Academy of Fine Arts

The Academy of Fine Arts, at 2 Cathedral Road beside the Maidan in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is one of the city's leading art institutions and gallery spaces. Founded in the early 1930s, it was established to promote the visual arts in Bengal and has long been a centre for exhibitions, artists' gatherings and cultural events. The building is a distinctive modernist structure set in a landscaped compound near Rabindra Sadan, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Nandan film centre, which together form a cultural cluster in this part of South Kolkata. Inside, visitors find a permanent collection of paintings, sculpture and graphic works associated with the Bengal School and later artists, including pieces by members of the Tagore family and other leading names of Indian art. Several gallery halls host rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, photography, sculpture and craft, often changing every week or two, so the experience varies from visit to visit. There is also a library and an auditorium used for cultural programmes, and the grounds include lawns and a small shop. The annual winter art fair and exhibitions draw many local artists and students. A visit takes 45 to 60 minutes, though it can be longer when a major exhibition is on. The gallery is open in the afternoon and evening, from about 3:00PM to 8:00PM, and is closed on Mondays, so visitors should confirm opening times. Entry is free or carries a small exhibition fee. Afternoons during major exhibitions are the busiest, with opening evenings drawing artists and collectors. Photography rules depend on the exhibition and many shows prohibit it, so check at the entrance. The academy is easily combined with a walk to the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul's Cathedral, both within a short distance.