The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art

FICA's AgriForum, in collaboration with the Sher-Gil Sundaram Arts Foundation and Shared Ecologies, fosters ongoing discussions on the contemporary relevance of the agrarian landscape. Artists and collectives explore topics such as landscape interpretation, sustainability, and environmental issues. Key participants and resource persons contribute to these dialogues, facilitated by FICA. The AgriForum seeks to bridge the gap between art and agriculture, offering fresh perspectives on the agrarian landscape's socio-political implications.

The FICA Reading Room, established in 2008, serves as a valuable resource to offer contemporary art publications to a wider audience, including art students, independent researchers, and art enthusiasts who may have limited access to academic or private libraries in India. It operates as part of FICA, contributing to the arts community's exchange of ideas, learning, and collaboration. The Reading Room's journey led it from Defence Colony to the Khirki Extension Area, and it now resides in Lado Sarai, providing an intimate and interactive space for workshops, discussions, film screenings, and other programmes. These include talks by visiting artists, scholars, curators, and critics, workshops for emerging artists and educators, as well as discussion forums on various topics. The Reading Room, located in an active art neighbourhood, follows specific operating hours and appointment requirements, considering COVID-19 guidelines for visitors' safety and access.

The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) conducts exhibitions that take on diverse forms and contexts, maintaining a critical and educational approach to exhibition creation. It emphasizes experimentation and collaboration with artists, expanding networks. FICA's exhibition formats foster critical thinking and interactive sharing of media and material, engaging with different audiences. It views the exhibition platform as an educational space, promoting exchange, conversation, and collective thought. These exhibitions serve as dynamic forums, inviting various practitioners and showcasing FICA's work, including programmes, knowledge production, and collaborations. Notable exhibitions include the FICA Emerging Artist Award Solo Show, FICA Homepage for grant recipients, participation in events like the India Art Fair and Serendipity Arts Festival, and the recently launched Project_Space, a multifunctional space within the Reading Room for exhibitions and artist residencies.

The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) has devised both long and short-term projects and workshops intended for school children, young learners, and art educators. These initiatives aim to facilitate their engagement with contemporary art. FICA's efforts have bridged the worlds of art exhibition spaces and inquisitive young minds. Collaboration with art practitioners, education professionals, and institutions like Vadehra Art Gallery and Asia Art Archive has led to the creation of tailored courses and learning environments geared towards specific educational outcomes. These educational programmes have evolved into learning modules, education frameworks for art educators, and other means of widespread dissemination.

The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) is dedicated to recognizing and nurturing Indian artists, art historians, curators, and researchers. Through grants, awards, and residencies, FICA has supported over 45 individuals and their projects, fostering excellence in contemporary visual arts in India. Collaborating with esteemed international arts and educational institutions, along with the generous support of individual patrons, including Pro Helvetia, Goldsmiths University, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, and others, FICA's Grants and Awards have played a vital role in promoting critical projects in contemporary art, research, and writing. The organisation ensures the intellectual and material results of these initiatives are accessible through exhibitions and workshops, facilitating the exchange of ideas and the development of public programmes, thus making contemporary art practices more accessible to diverse audiences.