Sunaparanta-Goa Centre for the Arts is a non-profit arts education initiative of Dattaraj V. Salgaocar.  It has the following broad aims and objectives: to preserve the artistic and cultural legacies of Goa through collections and archives as well as public art projects; to encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in the visual arts (individual, group and organisational); to serve as a bridge between the Goan art community and the national and international art communities; and, most importantly, to provide mentoring and resource support to art students and others interested in art.

Sunaparanta is conveniently located in the picturesque Altinho hills of Panjim, where residents and visitors to Goa can benefit from a year-long schedule of arts activities and exhibitions. We maintain a full-time administration office. At the moment, regular weekly programmes that run throughout the year, starting in February of 2009, include the Art Lounge, with weekly interactive sessions open to the public; Film for Thought, which presents documentary and art films; a Sketch Club headed by Harshada Kerkar; The Mango Tree, an art school for children conceived and run by Deviprasad C Rao is open from Monday through Friday, and includes the Devamitra, a programme for children with special needs.  A signature programme of the Centre is Blue Shores of Silence, a weekly prison art programme directed by Swatee Kotwal Nair which in addition to training in technique, offers training in art history, theory and allied arts.

The centre now houses several exhibition galleries, a large multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, studios, two residency rooms for visiting scholars, artists or faculty, and an open courtyard that houses the Café Al Fresco.  We are also building up an art resource library to support the development of emerging artists and art students.

Sunaparanta intends to be a strong advocate for Goa arts funding and support.  It will serve as an umbrella venue for various groups by promoting understanding and appreciation of the arts.  It will provide working and exhibition space, assistance with exchange and grant funding initiatives, financial and creative support for special co-operative projects, and networking with state, national and international organizations.

Opening hours:
Mon - Sat 9 am - 6 pm