culture
Arcadia Arts Opens Banani Gallery Featuring 45 National and International Artists
The new space in Banani launched February 16 with a group show of 45 national and international artists.
How we reported this
Arcadia Arts opened its doors February 16 in Banani on Road No 12, marking the arrival of another contemporary art venue in the capital. The launch featured a group exhibition that brought together 45 artists from Bangladesh and other countries.
Why the timing stands out
Dhaka’s cultural spaces have faced direct setbacks in recent years. Institutions including the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre were set on fire during the 2024 uprising. New galleries such as Arcadia Arts add exhibition rooms at a moment when artists and viewers are looking for places that can operate steadily.
The city already supports several established sites that keep collections and shows accessible. The Asiatic Society Heritage Museum in Old Dhaka’s Nimtali area opens Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30am to 4:30pm, charging Tk20 for regular visitors and Tk10 for students. The Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh draws roughly 1,000 visitors on busy days and continues to host exhibitions such as Ivy Zaman’s sculpture show and the National Calligraphy and Graffiti Exhibition.
Building on existing Dhaka venues
Other longstanding spots include Dhaka Kendra, the heritage center and living gallery established by the Maula Buksh Sardar Memorial Trust in Old Dhaka, which holds archaeological and historical collections for research on the city’s past. These places show a pattern of institutions that have operated for years alongside newer additions. Arcadia Arts enters this mix with a focus on contemporary work displayed in a single neighborhood location.
Street-level activity has also grown. Hundreds of murals now cover walls at Dhaka University, Bailey Road and Minto Road, many created after the 2024 political change. The Dhaka North City Corporation has painted additional pieces on flyovers and public walls using folk motifs and bright colors. A 450-foot Bangla calligraphy work appeared at Banani 11 WAPDA in two days during August 2024. Arcadia Arts provides an indoor counterpart to this outdoor activity.
Visitors can reach the gallery in Banani by following the standard routes through the neighborhood. The opening exhibition remains the clearest indicator of the programming direction for the months ahead.