Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai

About Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai

The Government College of Fine Arts (initially known as the Madras School of Art) in Chennai is the oldest art institution in India. This institution was established in 1850 by a resident surgeon, Alexander Hunter as a private art school. In 1852, after being taken over by the government, it was renamed as the Government School of Industrial Arts.Later, it was renamed as the Government School of Arts and Crafts and the Government College of Arts and Crafts (1962), before finally being renamed as present. This institute offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in painting, sculpture, visual communication, textile design, graphic arts and ceramics. It also offers postgraduate programmes in painting, visual communication, textile designs and ceramics. In 2009, it started offering a course leading to the Master's degree in Fine Arts in sculpture.

History

During British rule in India, the crown found that Madras had some of the most talented and intellectual artistic minds in the world. As the British had also established a huge settlement in and around Madras, Georgetown was chosen to establish an institute that would cater to the artistic expectations of the royals in London. At first traditional artists were employed to produce exquisite varieties of furniture, metalwork, and curios, and their work was sent to the royal palaces of the Queen. In a very short time, this institute established itself as the first school of art in India. It predates even the University of Madras. This school was originally located at Popham’s Broadway. In 1852, it was shifted to its present premises, a four-acre campus on Poonamallee High RoadA number of celebrated painters, sculptors and craftsmen of India are either products of this college or influenced by it. The stamp of this college can be found in each and every painting or sculpture that is being produced in India.

Like the Bengal School, the Madras School flourishes on 'creating' new styles, arguments and trends.

Government College of Fine Arts,
Chennai