Artworld Powwow: Art and the Mumbai Development Agenda 2014-2054

Conveners: Christine Ithurbide and Amrita Gupta Singh
Discussants: Vikas Dilawari, Prasad Shetty, Ammar Mahimwalla, Alisha Sadikot, Rajeev Thakker, Radhika P., Abdul Shaban, Parmesh Shahani, Elise Foster Vander Elst, Madhushree Dutta, Hemali Bhuta, Rajalakshmi Pandit, Diana Campbell, and Abhay Sardesai

In collaboration with Sedet Laboratory, Paris Diderot University

April 20, 2013 | 2.00 pm to 6.30 pm
Studio X, Kitab Mahal

While Mumbai is emerging as a global city, how are art and culture envisioned in the current city development agenda? What is the role of art spaces in shaping Mumbai’s future and the contribution of artists, art entrepreneurs and the creative sector in its economic growth? Gathering specialists of art, culture and development in Mumbai – from planners to museum directors, creative entrepreneurs, artists and cultural activists, Artworld Powwow: Art & the Mumbai Development Agenda 2014-2054 aims to discuss, analyse and rethink the place of art in Mumbai’s urban, economic and social development.
This workshop is taking place in the particular context of the new development plan starting next year for Mumbai. Indeed, according to the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act of 1966, the planning of all urban areas in Maharashtra is to be done in 20 years circles. As the Development Plan for Greater Mumbai 2014-2034 has been published by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), the place given to art and culture raises numerous questions and important issues.

The workshop will introduce 50 years of art policies for Indian cities and present recent reports to be discussed during the afternoon. Among them, The Development Plan for Greater Mumbai 2014-2034 (published by MCGM) and The Concept Plan for Mumbai Metropolitan Region (published by Mumbai First) where projects of a New Culture Hub and Recreational District is being proposed will be studied.

This workshop will be the occasion to share experiences and ideas – the ones that worked but also others that failed- and raise important questions for a long-term art agenda in Mumbai. A table with recent reports and publications on topics related to the workshop will be set up for the day and participants will be invited to bring their own reports/publications for display.

Session I: Art & Urban Development

This session will look at the planning of art spaces beyond the South Mumbai art district. It will involve discussions on the current territorialisation of art spaces, the emergence of new art hubs (Bandra, Wadi Bunder) and further North networks (Goregaon, Borivali, Thane). Questions on their links with heritage and building reconversions will be raised.

Session II: Art & the Creative City

This session will focus on Mumbai becoming a creative city. There will be debates on artist dividends and contribution of the arts sector to the urban economy, including the PPP financing model. Based on reports on creative and cultural industries in India and comparisons with economic models implemented in other global cities in Asia, this session will look at the role of social and cultural entrepreneurship in the context of Mumbai.

Session III: Art & Social Development

This session will be concerned with the strategies developed by different alternative spaces, artists, cultural activists toward a more integrative art territory. The question of mediation and education will be central in this session.