Dhaka: An exciting chapter in Bangladesh’s cultural landscape has begun with the official launch of Art Dhaka, a new art fair scheduled to be held in Dhaka from November 6-10 this year. The launch event held at Aloki on Sunday brought together diplomats, corporate leaders, and members of the country’s arts and culture community, formally introducing the initiative to the public. The initiative is led by a group of individuals and institutions deeply committed to promoting the country’s arts and culture.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the founding members of Art Dhaka include Durjoy Rahman, Aumia Khundkar, Amreen Bashir Ali, Fahd Sattar, and Nahar Khan. Together, they bring a powerful convergence of cultural leadership, media, philanthropy, and institutional experience. Art Dhaka has been conceived as a hybrid art fair designed to bring together artists, galleries, collectors, and institutions within a single curated environment. The fair will feature gallery presentations, curated exhibitions, public programming, and dedicated spaces for emerging artists and new collectors.
The fair will be designed to create multiple points of engagement. Talks, panels, and interactive experiences will offer audiences insight into artistic practice, collecting, and the evolving role of art in society. A central focus of Art Dhaka is to bridge the generational gap among patrons and cultivate new audiences, said a press release on Thursday. Through accessible entry points, educational programming, and direct engagement with artists and curators, the platform aims to demystify the art world and build familiarity with artistic practice.
By creating pathways for students, young professionals, and first-time buyers to engage with art in a meaningful way, Art Dhaka seeks to establish an informed next generation of collectors who can support and strengthen the cultural ecosystem over time. With the tagline, ‘Art for All,’ this platform aims to be a place where artists, collectors, and institutions can meet, where new audiences can engage with confidence, and where the cultural energy of Bangladesh can be experienced at scale.
The first edition of Art Dhaka aims to facilitate a space where artistic practice, audiences, and patronage come together with clarity and purpose. Through this initiative, the founders envision a vibrant cultural landscape that fosters artistic growth and enhances the visibility of Bangladesh’s art on a global stage.
The founders of Art Dhaka bring diverse experiences and backgrounds to the initiative. Durjoy Rahman, an influential art collector and cultural philanthropist, is known for his role with the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation. Nahar Khan, Executive Editor of United News of Bangladesh, provides editorial expertise and global engagement. Amreen Bashir Ali, a strategist and academic, leads initiatives at the Mubarak Ali Foundation focused on cultural diplomacy and education. T. Aumia Khundkar, Deputy Managing Director of ICE Media, brings her expertise in public relations and communications. Fahd Sattar, Founder and CEO of Aloki, contributes his experience in building community-driven cultural infrastructure.