New Delhi | January 9, 2026
The Delhi College of Art will host the 20th edition of the Collage International Art Carnival (CIAC 2026) from January 13 to 18, 2026, at Lalit Kala Akademi, Mandi House, marking two decades of the Carnival’s contribution to India’s contemporary art and cultural landscape.
Founded and curated by Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi, Founder and Director of the Delhi College of Art, CIAC 2026 carries the theme “Collective Energy”, which focuses on collaboration, shared creativity, and cultural responsibility in today’s rapidly evolving world. The milestone edition brings together traditional and contemporary artistic practices, reflecting classical influences alongside modern ideas and experimental forms.
The exhibition will showcase a wide range of artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, installation art, digital and video art, films, documentaries, and other new media works. Artworks created in oil, watercolour, charcoal, acrylic, mixed media, and installations will be displayed on diverse surfaces and formats. Large LED screens and projection systems across the venue will highlight digital and time-based artworks.
In addition to the exhibition, CIAC 2026 will host live art demonstrations, performances, panel discussions, artist talks, and interactive sessions, offering visitors opportunities to engage directly with artists and creative processes. Many of the artworks on display will be available for purchase at affordable prices, encouraging wider public participation in the art ecosystem. The Carnival is expected to bring together over 800 artists and students from India and abroad, making it one of the largest art carnivals in the country.
The Carnival will formally open on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Nand Lal Thakur, Vice Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, will be among the Guests of Honour. During the event, the B.C. Sanyal Award will be presented to Sanjeev Kishore Gautam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art; Sanjeev Kumar, Principal of the College of Art; and Bindulika Sharma, Dean, Department of Fine Art at Jamia Millia Islamia, along with other eminent figures from the art and cultural community.
Several leading public institutions and art schools are participating in CIAC 2026, including the College of Art, University of Delhi; Jamia Millia Islamia; Triveni Kala Sangam; National Gallery of Modern Art; Sarada Ukil School of Art; Shilpa Bharti Institute of Fine Art and Craft; and Sahitya Kala Parishad. Prominent private galleries and art institutions from the Delhi NCR region—such as Nature Morte, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, Vadhera Art Gallery, Bluedot Art Gallery, Uchaan Art Gallery, Urban Fringe, and Naveen Chhaya Pottery Studio—will also take part through curated exhibitions and institutional stalls.
The programme includes art talks by artist and NDMC Art Adviser Harshvardhan, Sacchidanand Joshi of IGNCA, artist Arpana Caur, and Dharmendra Rathore, as well as a live watercolour demonstration by noted artist Prafulla Sawant.
Speaking about the milestone edition, Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi said the 20th edition reflects the collective energy of artists, students, institutions, and communities coming together to create, share, and learn. He added that the Delhi College of Art has remained committed to free art education, accessibility, and social inclusion for over three decades. As part of CIAC 2026, the institution will award more than 50 scholarships to deserving and underprivileged students, reaffirming its commitment to equitable access to art education.
