At contemporary art events and exhibitions in Bangladesh, a noticeable shift is emerging. Young audiences are no longer passive spectators; they engage directly with artists, discussing ideas and philosophies. Many record and share these interactions on social media.
While common in entertainment, this approach remains relatively rare in the art world, making such initiatives particularly compelling.
One such initiative is The Art Broadcast, an independent online platform dedicated to presenting contemporary Bangladeshi art in an accessible way.
Founded by young artists and collaborators from diverse disciplines, the platform is rooted in fine arts but extends beyond traditional boundaries.
Although conceived seven to eight years ago, The Art Broadcast officially launched its experimental journey on January 7, 2024, focusing on presenting art in a simple, engaging, and approachable style.
Bangladesh’s art scene is rich and diverse, with many internationally recognised artists, yet much of this practice remains inaccessible to the general public. While newspapers and television cover art sporadically, a consistent, dedicated platform has long been missing.
The Art Broadcast aims to fill this gap by combining coverage of exhibitions, artist insights, studio practices, education, scholarships and opportunities in one space.
Recognising shifting audience behaviour, the platform prioritises short-form video content across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, helping art reach wider audiences.
To date, the platform has produced over 500 videos and covered more than 100 exhibitions, alongside studio visits and artist interactions, gradually cultivating greater public interest in the arts.
Co-founder Minhaz Islam told The TIMES of Bangladesh that his experience with various art institutions, including ARTCON, revealed many untold stories and insights from artists in informal settings.
“Books exist, but they are often dense and not easily accessible,” he explained. “We wanted to document these stories simply. Social media videos provided the perfect format. Initially, we made longer videos, but found that audiences preferred 30 to 60-second clips.”
He continued, “These short videos capture exhibition highlights, artworks, attendees and brief artist interviews. While such content is common elsewhere, it is still rare in Bangladesh. Many people do not know where exhibitions are taking place. Presenting this content in an accessible way demonstrates that an audience exists; it just needs a platform.”
Minhaz added that The Art Broadcast functions as a bridge, benefiting artists while creating structured, searchable documentation.
“Exhibitions happen frequently in Dhaka, yet many go unnoticed. Regular sharing strengthens connections between artists and audiences. Artists are also inspired to create their own content, which is a positive development, especially for emerging talent. We shifted from professional cameras to mobile setups to create a more natural environment for participants.”
On sustainability, Minhaz said, “Financially, the platform is not yet profitable. We avoided monetisation to preserve the viewer experience, but future sponsorship could ensure long-term viability. We hope to expand into a larger platform, potentially an app offering exhibition updates, artist profiles and notifications.”
Project Coordinator Sumaiya Sayeed added that plans include artist podcasts, publication reviews, museum and studio visits, and research-based projects. “A structured and sustainable budget is essential. We hope advertisers, sponsors, and donors will recognise the value of this initiative and support it,” she said.
In an additional conversation with Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury and ARTCON founder ARK Reepon, who have followed the platform since its inception, the duo said in unison that The Art Broadcast is forming a visual diary of the art scene through engaging videos, bringing art closer to the public and supporting artists while preserving cultural moments.
