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Conceived as strategic initiatives to advance the vision of Make in India, the two programmes brought together artisans, craftspeople, designers, architects, museum professionals, manufacturers and industry leaders from India and abroad in the museum sector. By connecting Indian enterprises, artisans and manufacturers with leading international museum specialists, the programmes sought to strengthen and consolidate India's museum industry ecosystem, foster innovation and knowledge exchange, and create new opportunities for collaborations.
They also highlighted India's potential not only as a rapidly expanding destination for museum development, cultural infrastructure and creative economy, but as a future global hub for the design, manufacture and export of museum goods, technologies, services and exhibition solutions.
The programmes further contributed to the development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum as a landmark cultural institution and civilisational museum- one that is Indian in character and truly international in standard, reflecting the traditions, creativity and aspirations of the people of India.
Shilpkar Samagam: Bringing India's Living Craft Traditions into the Museum of the Future
Organised at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, Shilpkar Samagam brought together master craftspeople, artisan communities, craft mentors, designers, architects, museum professionals and cultural institutions from across the country.
The two-day programme served as a collaborative platform to explore how India's rich and diverse craft traditions can be meaningfully integrated into the Museum's architecture, interiors, galleries and public spaces. Discussions focused on the role of traditional knowledge systems, material cultures, sustainable practices, community-based craftsmanship and contemporary applications of heritage skills in large-scale cultural infrastructure.
The event featured thematic sessions, interactive workshops, presentations and focused consultations covering a wide spectrum of crafts, including textiles, metalwork, woodcraft, stone carving, ceramics, bamboo and cane, decorative arts, traditional painting traditions, architectural crafts and emerging design interventions.
Addressing the gathering, Sh. Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, emphasised that the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum is envisioned not merely as a repository of objects but as a living institution that reflects India's civilisational continuity, collective memory and creative traditions. The Museum seeks to create opportunities for artisans and craft communities to contribute directly to the making of a national cultural landmark while showcasing the relevance of traditional knowledge in contemporary contexts.
A key feature of the Shilpkar Samagam was the live display and exhibition of works by over 100 master artisans and craftspeople representing diverse craft traditions from across India. The exhibits showcased the richness of India’s living heritage and enabled direct interaction between artisans, designers, architects and museum planners, helping identify opportunities for integrating traditional crafts into the Museum’s interiors and public spaces.
Key Outcomes of Shilpkar Samagam
● Participation of over 150 master artisans, craft practitioners and institutions across India.
● Representation from diverse craft traditions and knowledge systems.
● Identification of potential craft interventions across museum galleries, public spaces, visitor facilities and landscape elements.
● Formation of thematic working groups for continued engagement with artisan communities and design teams.
● Documentation of recommendations on sustainable material use, traditional construction practices and community participation in the Museum project.
Vendor Development Programme: Building Global Partnerships for a World-Class Museum
The Ministry subsequently organised the Vendor Development Programme on 7-8 September 2026, bringing together Indian and international firms, manufacturers, technology providers and specialist agencies whose products and expertise could contribute to the development of the Museum.
The programme introduced participants to the scale, vision, technical requirements and quality standards of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum and provided a structured platform for engagement with project consultants, designers and stakeholders.
The Vendor Development Programme also featured a dedicated display of products, materials and technological solutions relevant to contemporary museum development. Participating firms exhibited museum-grade display cases, lighting systems, conservation materials, digital technologies, immersive media solutions, wayfinding systems, specialised interiors and other infrastructure components, enabling stakeholders to evaluate products and engage in detailed technical discussions.
Participating firms represented a broad spectrum of specialised sectors critical to the planning, construction and operation of a world-class museum. These included museum-grade display and conservation showcase systems, specialist glazing solutions, architectural and exhibition lighting, audio-visual and immersive media technologies, interactive interpretation platforms, digital storytelling tools, conservation and collection-care technologies, security and surveillance systems, exhibition fabrication and scenography, wayfinding and signage solutions, specialised museum interiors and finishes, smart building systems, environmental control infrastructure, and advanced visitor engagement platforms. The participation of firms across these diverse domains provided a comprehensive overview of contemporary museum technologies, products and services, while enabling detailed discussions on innovation, quality standards, localisation opportunities and the adoption of global best practices for the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum. Through these engagements, the programme sought to identify solutions that would contribute to creating a technologically advanced, visitor-centric and conservation-sensitive museum experience befitting one of the world's largest cultural institutions.
Key Outcomes of the Vendor Development Programme
Towards a Museum for the Future
The Ministry of Culture noted that both programmes represent important milestones in the participatory development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum. By bringing together artisans, designers, manufacturers, technology providers and cultural practitioners, the Ministry seeks to ensure that the Museum embodies India's civilisational heritage while incorporating global best practices in museum design, interpretation and visitor experience.
The consultations will continue to inform the YYBM’s planning and implementation process as the project moves towards the next stages of development. This has also catalysed a broader museum movement by bringing together leading Indian and international stakeholders, fostering partnerships, knowledge exchange and innovation. By linking global expertise with India's rapidly expanding cultural infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities, the initiative is helping position India not only as a major market for museum development, but also as a future hub for the design, production and export of world-class museum solutions and experiences.
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum is envisioned as a landmark national institution that will present India's story across millennia through world-class exhibitions, immersive experiences, cutting-edge technologies and the integration of India's living cultural traditions into the very fabric of the Museum.
Honouring the hands, celebrating the heritage!
India’s rich craft traditions come alive through the skilled hands of its artisans. Shilpkar Samagam brings together master craftspeople, artisans, mentors and designers to celebrate, collaborate and contribute to the Yuge Yugeen… pic.twitter.com/w27RILanHm
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) September 2, 2026
Building Cultural Legacy Through Collaboration! ✨
The vision for the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum takes shape through collaboration, innovation and expertise. The Vendor Development Programme brings together leading Indian and international vendors, designers and specialists to… pic.twitter.com/oXo8NHpu7P
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) September 7, 2026
M Annadurai
Official source
[Read the original PIB release](https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2308531)
Source attribution: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.