CAVA TO GET ITS OWN CAMPUS IN GERMAN PRESS PREMISES

At last, after a decades-long struggle, the Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) is getting its own campus on the eve of its 30th anniversary. The State Government has granted 4.4 acres of land in the premises of German Press (Govt. of India Text Book Press), Siddharthanagar for CAVA's own campus.
CAVA was earlier granted nearly 5 acres of land in the proposed Music University campus in Varakodu, which did not materialise due to various legal and technical problems in obtaining the land. The Academy was also shifted to Aloka campus in Yelwal many times. Tired of the uncertainty of shifting to Aloka and back again and also not wanting to get embroiled in controversies surrounding the Music Varsity campus, CAVA Dean V.A. Deshpande had been trying to get the vacant land in German Press premises.
When SOM spoke to Deshpande, he said the project of building a campus for CAVA may take upto 3 years as he has just sent his plans and requirements to the Chief Architect, Govt. of Karnataka. After the Architect draws up plans according to his specifications and as per the needs of the Academy, they can make an estimate of the funds needed which will then be released by the government.
Deshpande said they will visit other schools of arts like Shanthiniketan, Delhi School of Arts etc., to get an idea of the architecture and requirements for the school. Each of CAVA's departments — Sculpture, Painting, Graphics, Applied Art, Photojour-nalism etc. — has its own infrastructural requirements like studios, workshops, LCD projection room, foundry, a spacious library and even open space for artists which will be planned accordingly in the new campus.
In addition to a good collection of art — paintings, sculptures etc.— CAVA exhibits art work done by its own students and other students from around the country who attend workshops conducted on the campus. The present CAVA building has space constraints for both temporary and permanent art expos.
When asked if the Academy plans to have a permanent art gallery in the new campus, Deshpande said, "Our art should be witnessed by others. If people do not see and appreciate our art, we will not grow, and consequently, our art will not grow. Hence it is imperative that we have a spacious art gallery."
As per the present estimation, around Rs. 5 to 6 crore may be needed for the new campus. The State Government had granted Rs. 1 crore for CAVA last year. Deshpande believes that since the Kannada and Culture Department is under Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa himself, funds will be released without any hitch and the Department Secretary B.R. Jayaramaraje Urs too would support the project. CAVA is also likely to get UGC funding as it comes under University of Mysore.
Replying to a query, Desh-pande said there are 15 teachers and 35 staff at present and five posts are vacant. They will be soon filled up, he added.

The Academy has been facing various problems due to lack of basic facilities like classrooms, technical staff, library and is forced to remain in the Chamarajendra Technical Institute building which has developed cracks in the walls and is crumbling. Along with building a new campus for CAVA, it is also essential to preserve the CTI building which was built in 1906 by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV.