Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi

The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi is arguably the largest council made for the purpose of promoting arts and culture in Pakistan, and perhaps the busiest in terms of organizing events on a yearly basis. Given the kind of sociopolitical turn that the country has taken with reference to religious extremism, it makes the council all the more significant an institution to uphold and foster the traditions of the arts that aim to give society a balanced approach to life. It is the country's oldest and most famous NGO (non-government organization) that deals in promotion and development of arts and crafts in Pakistan.[1][2][3]

Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi
Founded1948
TypeCultural institution
FocusThe Arts, Culture promotion
Area served
Pakistan
ProductPakistani Culture & The Arts education
Key people
Muhammad Ahmed Shah
WebsiteArts Council Official Website

History and background

In 1948, a group of art enthusiasts gathered and formed themselves into a society under the name of Karachi Fine Arts Society. It was first of its kind to promote and encourage arts and culture in Pakistan. It held exhibitions and promoted activities relating to theatre.

The funds of the society were contributed personally by the members themselves. They had no permanent building of their own. Their meetings were therefore held at the residences of the office bearers. Art exhibitions were held in rented space in private houses. Six years later in 1954, the Karachi Fine Arts Society was reorganized into a body called the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. This organization was registered with the registrar of societies, Karachi, under Act XX1 of 1860. (The Registration Certificate was issued on 10 May 1955). After its formation, the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi stepped up activities in the field of arts and culture. It also has sponsored production of plays and musical programs - for example, it recently held a Musical Tribute Event in 2017 in honor of the late Bade Fateh Ali Khan (Pakistan's famous classical music singer) in its auditorium.[4]

Academies at Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi

Karachi Arts Council has four academies of its own that help in fostering raw talent and developing them into real performers." These include:

Theatre Academy

It helps in teaching script-writing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, and production management.

Music Academy

It helps in the teaching of violin playing, flute playing, dholak playing, vocals training, guitar playing and other classical instruments.

Fine Arts Academy

It helps in teaching and developing literature, floral art, architecture, interior designing, and sculpture.

Facilities

Following are some facilities offered by the Arts Council of Pakistan for hosting events:

  • Auditorium
  • Open Air Theatre
  • Permanent Art Gallery
  • Library / Reading Room
  • Audio / Visual Library
  • Cultural CafĂ©

Recent local body elections

In 2005, Arts Council of Pakistan had over 4000 members and over 3000 eligible voters.[5] Arts Council of Pakistan elections for office-holders were to be held on 18 December 2005.[5]

On 18 December 2016, latest Arts Council of Pakistan elections were to be held for office-holders.[6]

See also

National Academy of Performing Arts (Pakistan), also located nearby in Karachi

References
  1. The glue that holds: 'Despite borders, Urdu literature connects India, Pakistan' The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 1 December 2016, Retrieved 5 October 2020
  2. Crafts festival inaugurated at Arts Council The News International (newspaper), Published 9 February 2020, Retrieved 5 October 2020
  3. Karachi: Arts Council auditorium (Grants from the government for Arts Council of Pakistan) Dawn (newspaper), Published 25 December 2004, Retrieved 5 October 2020
  4. Tribute to Music icon Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi website, Published 2 March 2017, Retrieved 5 October 2020
  5. KARACHI: Arts Council's polls in 2005 Dawn (newspaper), Published 18 December 2005, Retrieved 5 October 2020
  6. Arts Council of Pakistan elections to be held in 2016 The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 18 December 2016, Retrieved 5 October 2020


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