Bhubaneswar: Centre has initiated steps to establish a Regional Eastern Centre of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Bhubaneswar, with senior officials of the Union culture ministry and state govt discussing the roadmap for the proposed institution on Thursday.Director general of the National Gallery of Modern Art, Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, met chief secretary Anu Garg to deliberate on the establishment of the gallery, which is envisaged as a major cultural hub for modern and contemporary Indian art in eastern India.Both sides discussed identification and allocation of land for a permanent campus, provision of temporary premises to enable the gallery to begin operations at the earliest and development of museum infrastructure in line with international standards.Officials also deliberated on a long-term vision for the proposed centre, including exhibitions, conservation, education, research, public outreach and cultural engagement. The gallery is expected to celebrate the state’s rich artistic traditions while showcasing modern and contemporary Indian art, besides fostering collaborations with museums, educational institutions, artists and cultural organisations across the region.“The establishment of the NGMA Regional Eastern Centre in Bhubaneswar reflects our commitment to making India’s cultural institutions more inclusive and accessible. Odisha‘s remarkable artistic heritage makes it a natural choice for this initiative,” Goutam said, adding that the centre would promote innovation and cultural exchange.Garg said the state govt would work closely with the National Gallery of Modern Art to establish a landmark institution that strengthens the state’s cultural ecosystem and enhances its profile as a destination for visual arts and museum excellence.According to the officials, the proposal, part of the Union govt’s broader effort to expand India’s cultural infrastructure through world-class institutions across different regions, is being pursued under the leadership of Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the guidance of culture secretary Vivek Aggarwal.
