Old Secretariat, Goa

The Adil Shah Palace which has traditionally housed the old secretariat has been identified by the directorate of art and culture as a centre for art and culture in Goa, by converting it into a museum for the purpose. The Adil shah palace is presently undergoing a massive renovation exercise and a committee has already been set up to organise various painting exhibitions and shows in order to launch its new avatar.

In its order the directorate of art and culture states that the government has decided to commence various art galleries on the first floor of the building. A curatorial committee cosnsiting of members, Mr Abahay Sardessai from Mumbai, Mr Apurva Kulkarni, Mr Damodar Mauzo and Mr Viraj Naik has been constituted to organise a variety of events an exhibitions in the old secretariat building with Mr Vivek Menezes presiding as a co-cordiantor of the panel.

The committee is expected to organise exhibitions of various paintings of over 50 Goan contemporary artists on December 19 this year and will also organise an exhibition of the works of Agnelo Fonseca, an eminent Goan artist of yesteryears . The committee will remain operational for a period of six months from the date of inauguration of the first exhibition or event and hold many such exhibitions which are deemed essential during its six month term.

The Curatorial committee has been given the powers to co-opt any suitable member on its panel if so desired by it. The Mumbai based member of the committee MR Abhay Sardessai has been entitled to avail of economy class fare for his travel from Mumbai to Goi and back and avail of local transport at actuals for attending the meetings , programmes and events of the committee as per requirements.

The Curatorial committee is also entrusted with the task of recommending to the government the setting up of various art galleries and proposing purchase of any paintings for the museum as well as the art galleries which shall be, if purchased in the permanent collection of the government of Goa and will be decided with the concurrence of the department of finance Goa.