Avid Learning’s curatorial philosophy centres around the development of Cultural and Creative Industries, presenting and curating multi-stakeholder events benefitting the arts and culture fraternity as a whole. Since early this year, in celebration of India’s G20 Presidency, Avid Learning has presented a number of events in different cities across the country.
On November 7th, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in association with State Partner Odisha, Teamwork Arts, Art Links Learning, and Avid Learning presented, ‘Virasat – Mapping Creativity,’ the annual conference on policy discourse for the growth and development of the creative economy on 7th November, at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi.
As a distinguished member of the FICCI Culture Committee 2023 and after successfully presenting the G20 Bengaluru Cultural Tracker in the country’s tech huband G20 Mumbai Cultural Tracker in the Maximum Cityto advance the dialogue on the priority area Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) and Creative Economy, CEO of Avid Learning Asad Lalljee successfully curated this conference, bringing his expertise in steering policy-making conversations to the heart of nation’s capital.
This conference also marked the formal launch of G20 CULTURAL TRACKER REPORT by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Ms. Lily Pandey along with Authors and Co- Convenors of the G20 Mumbai and Bengaluru Cultural Trackers, SVP, Essar Group, CEO, Avid Learning, Curator, Royal Opera House, Mumbai & Member of FICCI Arts & Culture Committee Asad Lalljee and Co-Founder, Art Links Learning, and Member of FICCI Culture Committee Sadhana Rao. The compiled report features key insights from the G20 Culture Tracker Meetings in Bengluru and Mumbai together with recommendations and actionable next steps in the G20 Culture Track Report. It underlines the critical role of governance, infrastructure, education, finance, tourism, cultural exchange, and technological interventions in shaping the future of cultural and creative industries.
Followed by the launch the day-long confluence of creative minds featured enriching sessions, engaging keynote addresses, and insightful presentations featuring esteemed speakers It brought together a diverse spectrum of visionaries across creative genres, including renowned scholars, policymakers, industry professionals, artists, curators, writers, and representatives of government bodies and corporate houses.
Panel 1 : EXPRESSIONS: LINKING ARTS & EDUCATION looked at education from the perspective of policy and practice. The session explored the multifaceted landscape of education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, both scholastic and extracurricular, in the sectors of arts, fashion, and design featuring Mr. Vikram Bhat, Joint Director, Bangalore International Centre, Maestro Saskia Rao-de Haas, Composer, Performer, Author of Sangeet4All Music Education Framework, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Founding Vice-chancellor, World University of Design Ms. Pooja Sood, Director, KHOJ International Artist’s Association moderated by Ms. Sadhana Rao, Co-Founder, Art Links Learning, an d Member of FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee.
Panel 2: CONNECTING INDIA: LINKING TOURISM, HERITAGE & ENTERTAINMENT looked at the wider intersections of Tourism and Heritage and their impact on Creative Sector, Economic Contributions, Technology & Creativity, Community Engagement Sustainability and Innovation featuring Ms. Junhi Han, Chief and Programme Specialist for Culture, UNESCO New Delhi, Ms. Vidyun Goel, Director, Haveli Dharampura, Mr. Satyajeet Krishnan, Area Director and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi and Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI & CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group moderated by Ms. Shoba Rudra, Founder Partner, RARE India.
Panel 3 BUILDING BLOCKS OF CULTURE: LINKING CITY INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE ARTS looked atthe integration of art, culture in the built environment that can reshape real estate across residential, commercial, and retail properties for creating vibrant, sustainable cities in today’s rapidly evolving urban landscapes. It featured Ms. Sumi Gupta, Director, Virtuous Retail, Mr. Tarun Mehrotra, Business Head- North and East India, Tata Realty, Ms. Smriti Rajgarhia, Director, Serendipity Arts Festival moderated by Mr. Vivek Narain, Founder & CEO, The Quorum Club.
Panel 4 THE BUSINESS OF CREATIVITY: LINKING ECONOMICS & THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES looked at intricate balance between the growth of arts and financial sustainability and how the arts industry navigates economic challenges.
Featuring Mr. Sai Aditya, Specialist, Tourism, Hospitality & Creative Economy, Invest India,Mr. Arjun Bahl, Co-founder, ST+ART India Foundation, Ms. Alison Barrett, Director India, British Council, Mr. Amit Gupta,Founder and Editor in Chief, STIRworld moderated by Mr. Asad Lalljee, SVP, Essar Group; CEO Avid Learning; Curator, Royal Opera House, Mumbai & Member of FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee.
The Final Session THE MAGIC AND THE MASTI: INTERLINKS OF MEGA PLATFORMS & COLLABORATIONS looked at the pulsating heartbeat of the mega events world, where artistic creativity merges seamlessly with business acumen featuring Mr. Samit Garg, President, EEMA and CEO & Co-Founder, E-Factor Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Dr. Suresh Goel, Former Director General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Mr. Sabbas Joseph, Founder-Director, Wizcraft Group, Ms. Anjali Pasricha, Director, CS Direkt moderated by Mr. Sanjoy Roy, Co-chair, FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee and Managing Director, Teamwork Arts.
