Our Initiatives

Firmly rooted in its principles of supporting art and artists, the Foundation has established and been part of several initiatives. Notable among them are three popular initiatives which highlights the work of the Foundation. SGMF is one of the few foundations that actively maintains its association with the artists, through guidance, mentoring and support while helping them find new avenues to display and promote their works.

Artists Initiative Programme

The Artists’ Initiative Programme, a path-breaking enterprise by Gitanjali Maini when she established gallery g, is now fully funded and supported by SGMF. All the activities and grants for the artists, exhibitions, are from the Foundation. It is also actively engaged in assisting in artistic education, providing research grants and also supporting them for participation in national and international art festivals.

AIP is a phased series of sponsorships and mentorships to promote new and up-and-coming artists. The AIP has helped several artists like Bharti Prajapati, Mohammed Osman, Ganapati Hegde and Sangeeta Abhay among others to forge successful careers.

Kochi Muziris Biennale

The Kochi Muziris Biennale, the country’s only international art festival since 2010 has always had the patronage of SGMF. Initially supporting it through private sponsorships, the Foundation is one of the Platinum Sponsor for KMB. In line with its ideals, it is also the education partner supporting the Students Biennale which runs concurrently each time.

Importantly, besides the sponsorships and support, SGMF continues its association with the artists from Biennale, organizing solo shows and exhibitions while actively promoting their works. Bose Krishnamachari, co-Founder of the Biennale, well known artist and curator Riyas Komu, and several others like Jagadeesh Thammineni, Saju Kunhan, PK Sadaanadan are all being supported by the Foundation through is programs and projects.

Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

SGMF is the Principal Patron of Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation and Gitanjali Maini is also the CEO and Managing Trustee of RRVHF, a foundation that was established with Rukmini Varma, the great, great granddaughter of Ravi Varma as the chairperson in 2015. The primary institution which supports all activities of RRVHF, Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation is passionate in upholding the legacy of one of India’s greatest artists.

The Foundation takes the Ravi Varma legacy forward by fully supporting Rukmini Varma in all her ventures beginning with her solo exhibition Opulence and Eternity in 2017. Jay Varma, whose Realism style continues the legacy of the great artist, is the recipient of the single largest grant by SGMF, which supported his artistic education at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia. Further to that SGMF continues to be his patron and mentor in his artistic journey.

Facilitating heritage custodianship and new forms of creative expression