History

Sylhet Arts College is a centre of excellence dedicated to Fine Arts, Creative Arts and Cultural Education.

Art is one of the most powerful expressions of human imagination, creativity, emotions and culture. It reflects the identity, heritage and values of a nation while fostering innovation, critical thinking and aesthetic appreciation. Beyond painting and sculpture, music, dance, drama, recitation and other creative disciplines contribute significantly to the holistic development of individuals by nurturing confidence, discipline, cultural awareness and social responsibility.

Fine Arts primarily encompasses the visual arts, including Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Graphic Design, Art History and other related disciplines. In contrast, the term Arts represents a broader academic and creative spectrum that includes not only Fine Arts but also Music, Dance, Drama, Recitation and other performing arts. In recognition of this comprehensive vision, the institution was renamed **Sylhet Arts College**, reflecting its commitment to providing multidisciplinary arts education under one academic umbrella.

Although Sylhet is one of the major divisional cities of Bangladesh with a wide range of educational institutions, there had long been no specialised institution dedicated exclusively to higher education and professional training in Fine Arts and Creative Arts. To fulfil this long-standing need, Sylhet Arts College was established with the vision of producing skilled artists, creative professionals and culturally enriched citizens capable of making meaningful contributions at both national and international levels.

The roots of the College are closely connected with the rich artistic heritage of Sylhet. In memory of the late eminent artist Shah Alam, **Shah Alam Gallery of Fine Arts** was established in 2009. It was the first Fine Arts gallery in the Sylhet Division and has since played a pioneering role in promoting exhibitions, artistic practice, cultural activities and visual arts education. The establishment of the Gallery laid the foundation for the creation of a comprehensive institution for arts education.

Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, **Sylhet Art College** officially commenced its academic journey in September 2020. The founding vision of the College was realised under the leadership of its Founding Principal, the late artist **Arvind Das Gupta**, whose dedication, artistic excellence and visionary leadership laid the cornerstone of modern arts education in Sylhet. His invaluable contribution continues to inspire the institution and its students.

In February 2022, the Board of Trustees resolved to expand the academic scope of the institution by introducing the Departments of Music, Guitar, Keyboard, Drums, Tabla, Dance and Recitation alongside the Department of Fine Arts. To reflect this broader academic vision, the institution was officially renamed **Sylhet Arts College**.

At present, Sylhet Arts College is administered by the **Sylhet Art and Autism Foundation**. In 2024, the College received approval from the **Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB)** to offer a One-Year Certificate Course in Fine Arts and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). These programmes are designed to provide students with practical, career-oriented knowledge and professional skills.

The College is currently pursuing affiliation with the **National University of Bangladesh** to introduce undergraduate (Honours) programmes in Fine Arts and Music. In addition, the departments of Music, Guitar, Keyboard, Drums, Tabla, Dance and Recitation operate under the College’s own curriculum, and students who successfully complete these programmes are awarded certificates issued by the College.

To meet international academic standards, the College also offers the **Pearson Edexcel O Level Art & Design** programme. This internationally recognised qualification enables students to study under globally benchmarked curricula, assessment systems and creative learning methodologies. The College remains committed to integrating national and international educational standards, preparing students for higher education, professional careers and creative leadership both in Bangladesh and around the world.

We pay our deepest respect to our Founding Principal, the late artist **Arvind Das Gupta**, whose vision transformed the dream of a dedicated institution for arts education into reality. We also remember with profound gratitude the late artist **Shah Alam**, whose legacy continues to inspire artistic excellence and cultural enrichment. Their ideals, creativity and lifelong contributions remain the guiding spirit of Sylhet Arts College as it continues its mission of nurturing future generations of artists, educators and creative leaders.