Mumbai’s Community Art Program Turns Grief into Skill Building for Youth

Mumbai’s Community Art Program Turns Grief into Skill Building for Youth

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After the sudden death of a bright young artist, a local family has transformed personal loss into a public service: a free art programme that is now reshaping the future of over three thousand underprivileged kids in Mumbai’s civic schools. The Prachi Foundation – named after the late artist – offers weekly studio sessions, art resources and industry exposure, positioning creative skill development as a pathway to gainful employment.

Background / Context

India’s skill development discourse has long emphasised traditional trades and STEM, yet gaps persist in nurturing creative vocations. In 2024, the Ministry of Skill Development reported that only 8 % of urban youth from low‑income households had access to structured design or artistic training. Mumbai’s municipal wards, especially Jogeshwari’s Prateeksha Nagar, face an acute deficit of affordable art supplies, with most students unable to afford canvases or professional tools.

Against this backdrop, the Prachi Foundation steps in. Founded by Sumit Sharma and his wife Priya in early 2025, the organisation launched its first pilot in a Mumbai Public School’s fifth‑floor studio. The initiative was inspired by their daughter Prachi’s own passion for painting, which the couple saw vanish abruptly after a two‑month cancer battle. “We turned our grief into a gift,” Sumit shares, “so that no child has to feel their creativity is an expensive hobby.”

This project aligns with the Indian government’s “Skill India” agenda that now recognises creative arts as a legitimate workforce skill. It also dovetails with global trends that champion arts‑in‑education, citing benefits such as higher critical‑thinking scores, better mental health and increased employability in design, advertising and heritage conservation.

Key Developments

In just five months, the foundation has scaled from a single classroom to three schools, covering Prateeksha Nagar, Adarsh Nagar and a new partner in Gorai. Each Saturday, about 250 students gather with a supply of canvases, acrylics, brushes and light‑responsive tools. Workshops cover fundamentals such as colour theory, “wet‑on‑wet” techniques, and digital illustration basics using free software like GIMP.

In addition to studio time, the programme offers mentorship from local artists. Last week, a visiting fashion designer, Maya Desai, led a session on translating sketches into ready‑made apparel. “When students see a tangible product from a sketch, their ambition becomes real,” Desai notes. The foundation also partners with the Jehangir Art Gallery to give advanced students a platform to exhibit their work, thus creating a marketplace for skill demonstration.

Financially, the foundation has raised Rs 1.2 million through crowdfunding, corporate sponsorships and donations from the National Fine Arts Council. All revenue is redirected to purchasing sustainable paints, canvases and a portable easel rack that can be transported between schools. “Because we provide free art classes for underprivileged kids, we maintain a 100‑percent stipend for all materials,” Sumit explains.

One of the most ambitious aspects is the “Career Fair” held every quarter at the community centre. Students showcase portfolios to recruiters from interior design firms, advertising agencies, and cultural institutions. The fair has already attracted three hires: two young graduates who started in municipal design roles and one freelance illustrator employed by a start‑up media house.

Impact Analysis

For the students, the programme is more than a pastime. Khushi Sharma, a ninth‑grade student who once struggled to finish homework, now balances academic studies with a passion for pattern design. “I used to think art was a luxury,” she says. “Now I know it can be a job. I’m aiming to be a fashion designer.” Her story reflects a broader trend: over 70 % of participants report increased confidence and a clearer career path after just four months.

From an economic standpoint, the availability of free art classes for underprivileged kids addresses a critical skill gap in Mumbai’s creative industry. Analysts predict that creative employment will outpace the growth rate of traditional manufacturing by up to 3.2 % CAGR through 2030. The programme’s emphasis on professional skills – branding, client communication, portfolio development – provides a launchpad for the next generation of designers, illustrators, and digital content creators.

Further, the initiative creates ripple effects in the community. Teachers report higher engagement in classroom discussions when students refer artistic projects. Parents, previously unaware of the viability of careers in art, now actively support extracurricular art pursuits. Local businesses have begun offering internships to students, signalling a budding ecosystem around the city’s creative economy.

One challenge remains measurement: quantifying long‑term outcomes for students who transition from hobby to profession. The foundation is collaborating with the Centre for Creative Learning Studies to track employment data and conduct annual surveys, aiming to publish a comprehensive report on the social return on investment of arts education.

Expert Insights / Tips

For international students or expatriate families looking to support art education, the Pune Creative Hub recommends the following practical steps:

• Leverage Sponsorships: Approach local businesses with a clear proposal that highlights mutual gains – brand exposure and community goodwill.
• Utilise Open‑Source Resources: Free software like Krita or Inkscape reduces the cost barrier for digital art, while online tutorials on YouTube or Coursera can supplement in‑class instruction.
• Focus on Marketable Skills: Curriculum should integrate vector illustration, 3D modelling basics or UI/UX wireframing, as these are high‑demand in global markets.
• Document Success Stories: Use case studies, portfolio links, and testimonial videos to attract donors and show impact.
• Collaborate with Governments: Local NGOs can tap into municipal funding, especially under schemes like the Municipal Solid Waste Management Programme’s “Creative Recycling” initiatives.

Sumit Sharma advises patience: “The real win is long‑term skill cultivation. In the first year, focus on building trust and providing consistent resources. The professional outcome will follow.”

Looking Ahead

The Prachi Foundation is exploring a digital hub that will allow students to upload projects, receive remote mentorship, and apply for online internships. A pilot webinar series is planned for September, featuring professionals from the advertising sector. This expansion seeks to widen reach beyond physical studio constraints and to democratise access in districts with limited infrastructure.

In parallel, the foundation is negotiating with the Ministry of Culture to secure a grant that would help subsidise higher‑level workshops – 3D printing, animation, and product design. If successful, the programme could set a model for other metros across India, fostering a national network of free art classes for underprivileged kids.

Meanwhile, the project’s leadership remains vocal about the importance of arts in shaping future economies. “Creative literacy is as essential as reading and numeracy,” Sumit asserts. “When we hand a brush to a young mind and encourage them to create, we’re literally teaching them how to build futures.”

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