| Nickname | ACPKHI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1948 |
| Type | Arts & Cultural Institution (NGO) |
| Focus | Promotion of Arts & Culture |
| Headquarters | Karachi |
Area served | Pakistan |
| Leader | Mohammad Ahmed Shah |
| Employees | 350 |
| Website | www |
The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi [a] , abbreviated as ACPKHI, is a non-profit organisation in Karachi, Pakistan, dedicated to the promotion of performing and fine arts.
It organises a range of activities including theatre productions, dance and music academies, literary conferences, talent competitions, and other cultural events. [1] [2] Its programmes are intended to be accessible to diverse segments of society.
Established as an institution for the advancement of arts and culture, it is one of the oldest and most prominent non-governmental organisations in Pakistan in this field. The council hosts a high volume of events annually and plays a role in preserving and fostering artistic traditions in the country.
In 1948, a group of art enthusiasts gathered and formed themselves into a society under the name of Karachi Fine Arts Society. It was first of its kind to promote and encourage arts and culture in Pakistan. It held exhibitions and promoted activities relating to theatre.
The funds of the society were contributed personally by the members themselves. They had no permanent building of their own. Their meetings were therefore held at the residences of the office bearers. Art exhibitions were held in rented space in private houses. Six years later in 1954, the Karachi Fine Arts Society was reorganized into a body called the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. This organization was registered with the registrar of societies, Karachi, under Act XX1 of 1860. (The Registration Certificate was issued on 10 May 1955). After its formation, the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi stepped up activities in the field of arts and culture. It also has sponsored production of plays and musical programs - for example, it recently held a Musical Tribute Event in 2017 in honor of the late Bade Fateh Ali Khan (Pakistan's famous classical music singer) in its auditorium. [3]
Karachi Arts Council has four academies of its own that help in fostering raw talent and developing them into real performers." These include:
It helps in teaching script-writing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, and production management.
It helps in the teaching of violin playing, flute playing, dholak playing, vocals training, guitar playing and other classical instruments.
It helps in teaching and developing literature, floral art, architecture, interior designing, and sculpture.
Following are some facilities offered by the Arts Council of Pakistan for hosting events:
In 2005, Arts Council of Pakistan had over 4000 members and over 3000 eligible voters. [4] Arts Council of Pakistan elections for office-holders were to be held on 18 December 2005.
On 18 December 2016, latest Arts Council of Pakistan elections were to be held for office-holders. [5]