About us
Goa Open Arts is an artist-led initiative founded in 2019 with the intention of galvanising and invigorating the community of artists and creative practitioners based in Goa. Since its inception, through festivals, public events, exhibitions, grants, mentorship programmes, and student engagements, Goa Open Arts has established itself as a recognised cultural organisation supporting creative practices from the region.
Our events draw audiences from diverse backgrounds and age groups, and foster inclusivity, community participation, and engagement.
The Core Team
Diptej Vernekar
Diptej is an artist, educator and member of the Goa Artists Collective, an active group of contemporary multidisciplinary artists from Goa. Diptej’s art practice delves into the world of nature, myths and personal memories to build compelling narratives. He is also deeply engaged in art pedagogy and research. He has received awards and has been exhibited in shows and festivals in India as well as internationally.
As a co-founder and member of the Goa Open Arts core team, Diptej plays a role in guiding programmes and mentoring artists.
Gopika Chowfla
Gopika Chowfla is a professional graphic designer and visual artist whose career spans four decades. As creative director and designer she has established a reputed studio that has been engaged in a diverse range of projects, for multinational corporates and small arts and culture organisations, thriving in the challenge of versatility. Gopika’s art is significantly informed by her experience as a visual communication. She draws from themes that surround her and freely traverses between mediums to navigate her own enquiry and channelise these into formal expression.
Gopika is a founder member of Goa Open Arts and is involved in shaping the organisation and building the design and communication narratives.
Prashant Panjiar
Prashant Panjiar is widely recognised as a photojournalist and editor in mainstream media, as an independent photographer specialising in reportage, editorial and documentary photography, and as a photo editor and curator. He has co-curated all three editions of the Delhi Photo Festival, two editions of the Serendipity Arts Festival and in addition he has curated the publication of the Nazar Photography Monographs series for Nazar Foundation of which he is the co-founder.
He is the founder member of Goa Open Arts and plays a key role in guiding the strategies for the organisation and mentoring emerging talent.
Sitara Chowfla
Sitara Chowfla is a curator and creative arts manager dedicated to empowering artists and creating impactful experiences for diverse audiences. Sitara works across multiple spaces and projects in the art and culture ecosystem. She is currently an independent Museum Consultant working on projects in NCR. She also works with Good Earth Heritage Foundation, where she aids cultural organizations in heritage and craft preservation. With a strong background in arts management, she has consulted for Art X Company, led content strategy for Good Earth, and curated numerous exhibitions and programs with India Art Fair, Indigo + Madder, Pulp Society and others.
As a co-founder of Goa Open Arts, she actively drives programming, partnerships and communications for the organisation.
Our activities
Goa Open Arts has a vision to invigorate and promote the arts and all manner of creative practices in Goa. Under the banner of Goa Open Arts several productive arts based events and programmes have been undertaken. Your support for Goa Open Arts will help us continue to activate new programmes and platforms for the arts.
FESTIVALS & EXHIBITIONS
The Goa Open Arts festival 2020 brought together over 75 artists, musicians, poets and other creators. An inclusive and open platform it created an impact and showcased the spirit and talent of Goa's creative Community. We eagerly look forward to presenting the second edition of the Goa Open Arts festival as soon as it is safe to do so in our post pandemic world.
Besides the festival, Goa Open Arts produced the Retellings 2021 exhibition which showcased the work of the 6 Catalyst Grant awardees and Goa Open Arts will continue to plan more opportunities for Goa based artists to bring their art to the public.
GRANTS
During the lockdown in 2020 Goa Open Arts initiated the first edition of the CATALYST GRANTS to support Goa based artists through the difficulties arisen due to the COVID Pandemic. The grant is now an annual award that Goa Open Arts gives to young and mid career artists to produce new work which is showcased in a public event.
In 2021 Goa Open Arts has instituted the ENGAGE GRANT supporting artists working on community based projects which add value or benefit the community through their artistic practice.
MENTORSHIP
Goa Open Arts has a core team of experienced arts practitioners who provide guidance and assistance to artists seeking such support. In addition, the initiative has a large network of practitioners in the creative space which serves as a valuable resource for artists looking to be mentored, seeking collaborations or just need to engage with a creative community.
WORKSHOPS
Goa Open Arts has conducted art workshops for students of Government village schools in North Goa. With a goal to make art to accessible, these workshops were conducted by experienced arts practitioners and were without any charge. Workshops and outreach programmes continue to be an important part of the Goa Open Arts agenda.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Goa Open Arts is an agile and responsive organisation and open to any manner of supporting creative practice and pursuits. From events to talks, residencies and workshops, the intention of the initiative is to keep art energised, accessible and relevant.