In India’s ever-evolving art landscape, creativity is not sustained by artists alone. Behind every exhibition, residency, and restoration lies a network of foundations and cultural institutions that quietly power the country’s creative ecosystem. These organizations—founded by artists, visionaries, and patrons—play a crucial role in preserving heritage, nurturing emerging voices, and connecting tradition with innovation.
From the poetry-inspired initiatives of the Raza Foundation to the experimental spirit of KHOJ, these institutions form the cultural backbone of India’s art world. Here’s a closer look at some of the most influential art foundations shaping the nation’s creative identity today.
The Raza Foundation: A Living Dialogue Between Art and Thought
📍 C-4/139, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi
Founded in 2001 by the modernist master Sayed Haider Raza (S.H. Raza), the Raza Foundation stands as a testament to the idea that art flourishes in dialogue. Raza, who shared deep philosophical ties with India’s cultural roots, envisioned a space where art, poetry, music, and philosophy could coexist and converse.
The foundation’s activities—ranging from fellowships and seminars to musical performances and exhibitions—span over 20 Indian cities each year. Through initiatives like Art Matters and Raza Dialogues, the Foundation bridges classical and contemporary practices, nurturing the next generation of artists and thinkers.
Carrying forward Raza’s belief that art must engage with society, the foundation not only preserves his legacy but also amplifies the voices of emerging creative talent across India.
Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation: Launching Tomorrow’s Artists
📍 G42, Connaught Place, New Delhi
The Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation (RJMF), established in 1991 in memory of art patron Ravi Jain, continues to serve as a vital incubator for young artists. As the visionary behind Dhoomimal Gallery—one of India’s oldest art spaces—Ravi Jain believed that art should be accessible and ever-evolving.
Under the leadership of Uma Jain and now Uday Jain, the foundation has championed over 145 artists and sculptors through its annual Ravi Jain Memorial Awards. Alumni include notable names such as G.R. Iranna, Sonia Khurana, Hemraj, and M.S.C. Satya Sai, all of whom began their journeys here.
Now in its 34th edition, the award exhibition remains a space for experimentation and inclusion—honouring new voices that shape the contemporary visual language of India.
Mrinalini Mukherjee Foundation (MMF): Bridging Generations of Creativity
📍 K-29, Lajpat Nagar II, New Delhi
The Mrinalini Mukherjee Foundation (MMF) safeguards the artistic legacies of three remarkable figures—Benode Behari Mukherjee, Leela Mukherjee, and Mrinalini Mukherjee—whose contributions span modern Indian art and education.
Founded by the family to preserve their intellectual and creative inheritance, MMF works to create archives, exhibitions, and publications that contextualize these artists’ practices. It also supports research, education, and emerging talent through scholarships and curatorial initiatives.
By sustaining the dialogue between craftsmanship, material innovation, and artistic independence, MMF connects past ideals with future possibilities—cementing its role as a bridge between eras.
Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA): Empowering Artists and Audiences
📍 D-53, Defence Colony, New Delhi
Established in 2007, the Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) is one of India’s most dynamic not-for-profit institutions dedicated to visual art. FICA’s mission is rooted in accessibility—it seeks to bring art closer to the public through education, residencies, and community engagement.
Its annual FICA Emerging Artist Award has spotlighted numerous creative voices, while programs like Public Art Grant and Reading Room foster experimentation and critical dialogue. FICA also collaborates with schools, museums, and global partners to enhance art education and cultural exchange.
By bridging the gap between practice and public, FICA continues to make contemporary art a lived, shared experience.
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC): Heritage as a Living Art
📍 Nizamuddin, New Delhi
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) redefines heritage as a vehicle for social and artistic transformation. Established under the larger Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), AKTC has spearheaded some of India’s most acclaimed conservation projects—from the restoration of Humayun’s Tomb to the revitalization of Sunder Nursery and Qutb Shahi Heritage Park.
Guided by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the organization fuses conservation with community development, ensuring that restored spaces become living ecosystems for art, education, and sustainability.
By marrying tradition with innovation, AKTC demonstrates how cultural stewardship can also drive social impact—a model for art-led urban renewal worldwide.
KHOJ International Artists’ Association: The Laboratory of Experimentation
📍 S-17, Khirkee Extension, New Delhi
Born in 1997 from the Triangle Arts Trust initiative by Robert Loder, KHOJ has grown into a cornerstone of South Asian contemporary art. Founded by a group of young artists—including Anita Dube, Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, and Manisha Parekh—it began as an artist-led workshop and evolved into an international hub for creative experimentation.
KHOJ’s residencies, labs, and collaborations bring together artists from across the Global South to explore critical issues—climate change, identity, gender, and technology—through art. The organization’s inclusive and interdisciplinary ethos challenges institutional hierarchies, making art more democratic and socially responsive.
Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation: Protecting a Timeless Legacy
📍 Maini Sadan, Lavelle Road, Bengaluru
Established in 2015 by Bharani Thirunal Rukmini Bayi Tampuran, the great-great-granddaughter of Raja Ravi Varma, this foundation is dedicated to safeguarding and authenticating the works of one of India’s most celebrated painters.
Under the guidance of Chairperson Rukmini Varma, the foundation works with historians, curators, and conservators to research and promote Ravi Varma’s influence on Indian visual culture—from calendar art to cinema and textile design.
Through exhibitions, films, and public programs, it continues to illuminate how Ravi Varma’s vision bridged mythology and modernity, bringing art to the masses.
The Gujral Foundation: Art Beyond Boundaries
📍 16, Feroze Gandhi Road, New Delhi
Founded in 2008 by Mohit and Feroze Gujral, son and daughter-in-law of the renowned modern artist Satish Gujral, The Gujral Foundation has established itself as a key player in India’s global art presence.
The Foundation has supported over 330 artists and collaborated with major international platforms—including the Venice Biennale, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and Berlin Biennale. Projects such as My East is Your West and The State of Indigo have positioned Indian contemporary art within global conversations around identity and sustainability.
By merging art, design, and architecture, the Foundation continues to expand the creative horizon of India’s cultural landscape.
Piramal Art Foundation: Preserving Modern and Contemporary Heritage
📍 Mumbai
Founded in 2014 by the Piramal family, the Piramal Art Foundation is dedicated to conserving India’s modern and contemporary art legacy. The foundation undertakes the collection, research, and documentation of artworks for both public engagement and academic study.
By fostering art appreciation and education, it aims to make India’s rich visual history accessible to wider audiences—bridging the gap between private collections and public knowledge.
A Shared Vision for India’s Cultural Future
Together, these foundations—artist-led, patron-driven, and community-oriented—form the invisible scaffolding of Indian art. They sustain creativity not just through funding or exhibitions, but by shaping how we experience and understand culture itself.
In preserving memory and nurturing imagination, these institutions remind us that art is not only created—it is also cultivated.
And behind every masterpiece stands a foundation that makes it possible.
