18
May 2025
12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Avid Learning’s Museum Lens: Curating Collaborations, Conversations, and Cultural Futures
Online
National
Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, Kala Ghoda Association, and Avid
Learning present ‘What Makes a Museum?
Reimagining Spaces, Redefining Collections.’
As traditional
definitions dissolve, today’s cutting-edge museums invite us to reconsider
fundamental questions: Does a museum require a permanent collection? Can
transient experiences be preserved? How do digital spaces transform access and
belonging? And ultimately—whose voices determine what's worth remembering?
In celebration of International Museum Day
2025, Avid Learning deepens its curatorial focus on museums with a
compelling exploration of how unconventional institutions are redefining the
essence of cultural spaces. This thought-provoking conversation brings together
visionary founders, curators, and creative practitioners who are challenging
classic museum constructs—shifting beyond walls, objects, and even physical
boundaries—to create dynamic living institutions that reshape how we engage
with art, technology, and memory.
Join us for an inspiring dialogue that pushes
the boundaries of curation and envisions the future of museums as ever-evolving
spaces of storytelling, innovation, and inclusivity.
Svabhu Kohli is a multidisciplinary artist and visual researcher exploring the intersection of ecological narratives, communal engagement, and magical realism. Their work blends visual storytelling with shared experiences, fostering dialogue around our relationship with the natural world. Rooted in Indigenous, political, familial and scientific narratives, Kohli’s practice explores ecosystems, myths, and memory, drawing from scientists, shamans, and naturalists to shape their visual language. Their work spans murals, illustration, sculpture, installation, film and education with publications by Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, and Levine Querido. Kohli’s research-based projects have been showcased at CSMVS Museum, Jameel Arts Centre, Science Gallery Bangalore, Serendipity Arts Festival, St+Art India, Aziz Premji University, Sussex Contemporary Illustrations & Printmakers, Conservation Optimism, St+Art India Foundation, Current Conservation, Sanctuary Asia, Mongabay India, Hudson Valley Seed Library and Technology for Wildlife among others. They are also deeply involved with Amche Mollem, a citizen movement advocating for Goa’s forests through art and science collaborations. Kohli’s work fosters collective dialogue, deepening our relationship with the environment and the stories it holds.
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Sudhanva Ranade is the Director of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and serves as the Member-Secretary of its Board of Management and Executive Committee. Grandson of the museum’s founder, Dr. D.G. Kelkar, he has dedicated himself to the institution’s growth and preservation. With a background in Printing Technology from M.I.P.T. Pune, a Diploma in Marketing Management from Symbiosis, and advanced training in Germany, Sudhanva began his career in the printing and graphic arts industry before transitioning to museum leadership in 2003. He has received prestigious fellowships, including from the British Council, Goethe-Institut, and the Ministry of Culture, India. His work focuses on fundraising, modernization, and strategic development, ensuring the museum’s sustainability. A strong advocate for museum outreach, he envisions creating a state-of-the-art “Museum City” in Pune. His efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in securing funds for the museum’s survival are particularly commendable
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Ar. Nandini Sampat is the Principal Architect at Somaya Sampat, Mumbai, dedicated to architecture that embodies national identity, inclusivity, and sustainability. She champions a research-driven approach, exploring innovative building methodologies while upholding the studio's legacy of excellence alongside Ar. Brinda Somaya. Her work spans institutional and corporate campuses, heritage preservation, and museum design. Originally a corporate lawyer, Nandini transitioned to architecture, earning degrees from Rizvi College, the Inchbald School of Design, and additional certifications from HarvardX and Jnanapravaha. A thought leader, she has contributed to prestigious publications and served on juries. As a trustee of the HECAR Foundation, she curated the Women in Design Conference 2020. Her accolades include Forbes India’s 'The Bold Club' Top 30 Architects (2021) and Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers (2022). Recently, she curated The People of Mumbai exhibition at CSMVS, a landmark celebration of the city's cultural heritage.
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Aparna Andhare is an independent art historian, curator, and writer. She delights in examining ways in which a cosmopolitan world was reflected in early modern art and architecture. Aparna was a curator at the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur, and used to be a television producer and reporter before she changed tack to art history. She has studied at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU (MA, 2010-12), and at the University of Edinburgh (2016-17). She is currently based in Pune, and is working on silverware at Zapurza Museum of Art, under the aegis of the India Foundation for Arts’ Archive and Museum grant (2024-25)
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The Changing Role of Museums
Museums are evolving into more relevant spaces, serving as powerful platforms to reflect and shape our society. The conversations surrounding museums and galleries are shifting, with an emphasis on creating engaging environments that encourage participation and enjoyment in learning. In the modern educational landscape, they play a critical role in fostering learning through interactive experiences. Digitalisation has completely changed the way people engage with museums. Through innovative technologies, institutions can now offer interactive exhibitions that captivate visitors and enhance their understanding of various subjects. This shift attracts a wider audience and allows for deeper connections between the exhibits, their stories and connections with the people they serve.
Moreover, museums are increasingly working with various communities and institutions to become more socially purposeful organisations. By collaborating on projects that address local issues or highlight diverse cultural narratives, these spaces are redefining their roles within society. They are no longer just repositories of artefacts; they have transformed into dynamic centres for dialogue, education, and community engagement—making them essential players in shaping contemporary culture.
Indian Museums- The Diverse Living Institutions
The museum sector in India is a vibrant tapestry that reflects the country's rich cultural heritage and its evolving identity. From grand palaces and historic forts to contemporary gallery concepts, Indian museums encompass various experiences catering to diverse audience interests.
For instance, modern experiential spaces such as the Indian Music Experience in Bangalore allow visitors to engage with music in interactive ways, enhancing their understanding of this vital aspect of Indian culture. In Ahmedabad, the VECHAAR Utensil Museum highlights traditional utensils that have been integral to Indian households over centuries, alongside the renowned Calico Museum known for its exquisite textile collection and lush botanical garden. Additionally, specialised institutions like the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in Jaipur celebrate traditional crafts and techniques, ensuring these art forms are preserved for future generations while providing hands-on experiences to visitors. The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya stands out as a large tribal museum that encapsulates India's diverse tribal cultures through artefacts and exhibitions. Moreover, the RBI Monetary Museum offers insights into India's financial history, while the Museum of Solutions in Mumbai encourages children to explore, discover, play, and grow with immersive interactive experiences.
Each museum contributes uniquely to our understanding of India's multifaceted heritage while continuing to evolve with time, making them essential destinations for both locals and tourists alike.
Unique Ongoing Exhibitions in Mumbai
Mumbai's cultural institutions, including museums, have continually adapted to reflect contemporary times, showcasing a dynamic range of exhibits that bridge the gap between history and modernity. A prime example of this commitment is the recent opening of the Mumbai Gallery at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) museum, which tells the city's story through an engaging blend of contemporary installations and ancient relics. This space highlights maps and paintings that embrace innovative mediums such as graphic design and AI art, creating a multifaceted narrative that resonates with diverse audiences. Other intriguing exhibitions are currently on display across various institutions. Reena Kallat's "Cartographies of the Unseen" at the Bhau Daji Lad Museum invites viewers to explore themes of arbitrary boundaries among nations and shared cultural and ecological identities through thought-provoking artwork. Meanwhile, DAG's "City as a Museum" exhibition at JJ School of Art uniquely showcases how this esteemed institution has influenced art education and practice in Bombay and it allows us to experience the various phases of change in the lives of the artisans and craftsmen.
