Archive · 19 Aug 2026
'Art of Community' Book Chronicles India's Public Art Movement
A new book called “Art of Community” tells the story of public art festivals in India.
These festivals put art in ordinary public places instead of only galleries or museums.
The movement started in Surat in 2013.
It later spread to Bengaluru, Chennai, Amritsar and Nagpur.
Artists, students, artisans, teachers and local residents took part.
The festivals have had 33 editions and attracted more than 11 million visitors.
The book includes pictures, essays and stories from participants.
Yuj Foundation hopes it will help people understand how public art can bring communities together.
It is planned as the first part of a larger record of India’s public art movement.
Yuj Foundation released “Art of Community” at Taj Palace on Tuesday, documenting more than a decade of India’s public art festivals.
The movement began with the Dumas Art Project in Surat in 2013 and expanded to Bengaluru, Chennai, Amritsar, Nagpur and Surat.
The festivals have held 33 editions and attracted more than 11 million visitors, according to the report.
The book uses photographs, essays and participant accounts to show how public spaces became sites of creativity, dialogue and community participation.
Compiled over ten years with contributions from more than 50 people, the publication is intended as the first volume in a growing archive.
- Who
- Yuj Foundation, along with artists, students, artisans, educators and local communities, is behind the documented public art movement.
- What
- The book “Art of Community” documents more than a decade of public art festivals and their community impact.
- When
- The book was released on Tuesday; the report is dated August 19. The movement began in 2013.
- Where
- The book was released at Taj Palace in New Delhi, and the festivals have taken place in Surat, Bengaluru, Chennai, Amritsar and Nagpur.
- Why
- It aims to record the festivals’ history and highlight public art’s ability to transform shared spaces, reach wider audiences and encourage cultural participation.
- Book
- “Art of Community”
- Publisher
- Yuj Foundation
- Release venue
- Taj Palace, New Delhi
- Movement began
- 2013, with the Dumas Art Project in Surat
- Festival editions
- 33
- Visitors
- More than 11 million
- Contributors
- More than 50 people
- International partners
- UNESCO, the British Council and the Arts for the Future Festival in New York