Venkatappa Art Gallery sports a brand new look, thanks to Brigade Group

Bengaluru: The newly revamped Venkatappa Art Gallery was inaugurated recently by H K Patil, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation and Tourism, Karnataka.

The initiative, undertaken by Brigade Foundation marks a significant milestone in the preservation of Karnataka’s artistic heritage while ushering in a new era for contemporary artists and art enthusiasts alike.

Executive Chairman of Brigade Enterprises Limited MR Jaishankar has been instrumental in driving this philanthropic effort, ensuring that the gallery continues to serve as an invaluable platform for Karnataka’s artistic community.

Brigade Foundation stepped forward in March 2024 to restore and modernize this iconic building.

The renovation involved an extensive restoration process to upgrade the infrastructure while maintaining the integrity of the original structure.

This included reinforcement of its foundation, roof, and walls while updating exhibition spaces and public amenities. Dedicated galleries now showcase Karnataka’s celebrated artists K. Venkatappa and K.K. Hebbar, alongside five mini galleries featuring rotating exhibitions.

New visitor-centric spaces have been introduced to enrich engagement and art conservation efforts. A dedicated bookstore offers a carefully curated collection on art, culture, and Karnataka’s heritage, serving as a vital resource for scholars and enthusiasts while promoting the work of local authors and artists.

Additionally, a state-of-the-art restoration room has been established, providing conservators with essential tools to maintain and restore both contemporary and historical artworks.

Visitors can observe these intricate conservation efforts, gaining a deeper understanding of artistic preservation. Other additions include a modern cafeteria above the auditorium and a welcoming social space, along with a sculpture park where emerging artists can display their works. Accessibility upgrades, including ramps, elevators, and well-planned staircases, replete with enhanced navigation, clear signage, and upgraded public amenities ensure that the gallery is inclusive for all.

D K Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, in his remarks, said, “As Minister in charge of Bengaluru city, I will soon create a competition at the school and college levels to promote art. We plan to allocate a budget of around ₹25 crore for this and will collaborate with the Education department to take this forward. The Government of Karnataka is open to suggestions from the public and is willing to consider them for the development of Bengaluru.  The world is looking at Bengaluru and in order to make it a world class city, our government is planning an investment of ₹1 lakh crore for the development of the city over the next three years.”

Speaking at the inauguration, H K Patil said, “The renovation work of the Venkatappa Art Gallery, conducted by Brigade Group, is a perfect example of how private partnerships with the government can help transform the city for the benefit of the people. It is commendable that Brigade Group has completed the renovation work and handed over Venkatappa Art Gallery to the government in only 15 months. The Department of Tourism is happy to consider the request of the Brigade team to name one of the newly created galleries after the Brigade Group.”