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Welcome to ABC

Art Beyond Contemporary Foundation

Art Beyond Contemporary (ABC) is a non-profit arts & culture organization founded in 2025 by artist Rageshree Ranade. Based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, with a presence in New Delhi, ABC’s attempt is to challenge the conventional narratives of how contemporary art and culture are experienced and percieved in India.

At its core, ABC is dedicated to tracing the trajectories of Art diverging into various streams like visual art, craft, and music. We create platforms for experimentation, transdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural renewal.

A key pillar of ABC’s mission is to bridge the gap between academic art & culture education and real-world practice.Through mentorship, workshops, hands-on learning, and professional exposure, ABC empowers dreamers of all age to develop practical skills, build networks, and thrive in today’s complex creative ecosystem.

Whether through residencies, fellowships, exhibitions, community engagement, or research-driven projects, ABC is committed to supporting bold voices, bridging disciplines, and shaping a more inclusive, connected art & culture landscape.

Our Mission

Bridge the gap between academic education and real-world practice

At ABC, we trace the evolving paths of artistic expression across visual arts, craft, and music while creating bold platforms for experimentation, collaboration, and cultural renewal. Our mission is rooted in bridging the gap between academic arts education and real-world practice. We nurture creative minds of all ages through mentorship, workshops, immersive learning, and exposure to the professional arts ecosystem.

Through residencies, fellowships, exhibitions, and community-driven projects, we amplify independent voices, connect diverse disciplines, and shape a more inclusive and interconnected cultural landscape.

Our Vision

Envisioning the transcendence of Art & Culture

To cultivate a world where artistic expression transcends boundaries—geographical, academic, and cultural—and where every creative voice finds space, support, and resonance. Art Beyond Contemporary envisions a future where art is lived, shared, and celebrated as a dynamic force that connects and transforms communities.

Our Journey

The Story Behind Art Beyond Contemporary Foundation

Founded in 2025 by Rageshree Ranade, Art Beyond Contemporary began as a response to the growing gap between academic art education and real-world creative practice. While institutions often focus on theory and technique, many young artists struggle to translate that learning into meaningful, lived experiences. ABC was founded to bridge that divide, offering a space where knowledge meets action, and creativity is nurtured beyond the classroom.

We believe that true artistic growth happens in conversation, with mentors, communities, materials, and cultures. That’s why our programs, ranging from community engagements, workshops, residencies to collaborations, are designed to support not just skill-building, but self-discovery, experimentation, and inclusive dialogue.

At its core, Art Beyond Contemporary is more than a platform, it’s a movement toward a more connected, reflective, and responsive creative practice. Rooted in Jabalpur and now expanding in New Delhi, ABC is a space where visual art, craft, and music come together in meaningful, inclusive ways.

Through community engagements, mentorships, workshops, residencies, and exhibitions, we support emerging voices and foster a culture of collaboration and renewal. Our journey is about building a connected artistic future, where learning and practice go hand in hand, and creativity knows no boundaries.

Our Work

Catalyzing Impact Through Meaningful Collaborations

Mentorship Programs

Guiding emerging artists through learning, exposure, and real-world practice.

Workshops & Training

Hands-on sessions fostering skill development and creative confidence.

Residencies & Fellowships

Providing space, resources, and opportunities for deep artistic exploration.

Exhibitions & Events

Showcasing diverse voices across cultures and creative disciplines.

Community Engagement

Building inclusive networks connecting art with wider society.

Core Values

  1. Transdisciplinary Practice
  2. Bridging Practice and Education
  3. Cultural Regeneration
  4. Community Engagement
  5. Decentralization & Access
Transdisciplinary Practice

At the heart of ABC lies a dedication to tracing the many trajectories of art across visual arts, craft, and music. We foster transdisciplinary dialogue and create space for authentic/unfiltered expression that both honors India’s diverse creative traditions and welcomes experimentation, fluidity, and new narratives.

Bridging Practice and Education
ABC is committed to closing the gap between academic art education and lived creative practice. We provide mentorship, hands-on learning, and professional exposure to empower emerging artists, cultural practitioners, and dreamers of all ages to thrive in today’s evolving art and culture landscape.
Cultural Regeneration
We see culture as both memory and possibility. Through residencies, exhibitions, and research-based projects, ABC supports individuals reimagining heritage, reviving local knowledge systems, and engaging critically with contemporary social and cultural realities.
Community Engagement
ABC believes that art belongs beyond galleries and institutions. We embed creativity in public spaces, classrooms, and neighborhoods—ensuring that culture remains participatory, relevant, and rooted in shared experiences. Connection is central to how we work, and inclusion is integral to what we build.
Decentralization & Access
From our home in Jabalpur to our reach in New Delhi and beyond, we work to decentralize India’s art & culture discourse. By spotlighting regional voices and nurturing talent in underrepresented geographies, ABC cultivates a more equitable, locally grounded cultural future.
Our Team

Meet the Creative Minds Behind ABC’s Vision

A collective of artists, educators, and cultural leaders united to empower creativity and drive meaningful change through art.

Founder
Rageshree Ranade

Rageshree Ranade, founder of Art Beyond Contemporary Foundation is a visual artist, writer, and editor with over a decade of engagement in the art world. Holding an M.F.A. from Shiv Nadar University and a B.V.A. from M.S. University. Ranade has collaborated with premium educational platforms while also mentoring students through lectures, counselings and talks.

Executive
Shambhavi Pathak​

Shambhavi is a researcher and an art enthusiast with a keen interest in finding interactions between contemporary art, culture and the society. With a Masters of Arts in sociology from South Asian University, Delhi, she loves to explore innovative ways to connect art with education, public discourse and community building.

Advisory Board

Advisor
Rida Ali

Rida Ali, founder of Bucket List and Master’s student in Social Innovation at Cambridge, is a social entrepreneur with expertise in strategy, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. She combines creativity, advocacy, and participatory approaches to drive community impact through innovation.

Advisor
Premjish Achari

Premjish Achari, is a writer and curator whose exhibitions span India and abroad. Recipient of Pro Helvetia and Prameya awards, his projects and publications explore contemporary art, pedagogy, and collaborative practices.

Advisor
Sumantra Sengupta

Sumantra Sengupta, founding head of the MFA program at Shiv Nadar University, is a pedagogue and multidisciplinary artist. Trained at Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan, he has exhibited widely in India and abroad, engaging communities through murals, installations, and collaborative public art.

Support Us

Help Us Execute Our Vision

Support Art Beyond Contemporary in empowering artists and transforming communities. Your involvement—through volunteering, partnerships, or donations—helps us create inclusive platforms where creativity thrives and voices are heard.