Students learning the ropes from the faculty members in the ACIAC
A few years ago, Javed, a young boy from Lyari, became a social media sensation, praised for his detailed and intriguing portraits of international personalities. He is just one of the many gems of talent, most of whom remain undiscovered in Pakistan. However, Javed was later invited to join a new art institute, one that has set out to excavate more like him. He went from working in his father’s paint shop to becoming a future example of what this school has to offer.
The Arts Council Institute of Arts and Crafts (ACIAC) is a revival of the Central Institute of Art and Crafts (CIAC) which was the first institute to offer art education in Karachi after independence. It was built where the Arts Council of Pakistan stands today. Begun in 1964, it has seen the likes of Imran Mir, Naheed Raza and other luminaries walk-through its halls. However, a steady decline was noted in the last 25 years and, soon, other art institutes took centre stage.
In 2017, Shahid Rassam, a Pakistani-Canadian artist and educationist for more than 20 years, came back to Karachi with the dream of reviving this once magnificent school. Coming from a lower-middle class background, Rassam was aware of how classist the professional art world can be. Transforming this mindset by bringing about actual change was his goal.
The revival of the Arts Council Institute of Arts and Crafts aims to make art education accessible across class barriers
Now referred to as ACIAC, the school has rapidly grown in just a couple of years. It has received students from Lyari, Surjani Town, interior Sindh and other less-represented areas. Muhammad Ahmed Shah, president of the Arts Council, played an important role in the ACIAC’s revival. The ACIAC is run by a board of directors, all of whom have contributed tremendously to society.
The school provides scholarships and art supplies to students in need after they pass through a rigorous selection process that includes a talent hunt, a placement test and interview. With the help and active support of generous people, more than 200 scholarships are currently being provided to students.