Art advocacy initiatives have started at Chulalongkorn University over 30 years ago as the university president and University Council at that time realized the value and importance of art and its creator.  The initiatives began with a project to promote artists and their creation of artworks by starting an art collection by Thai artists, and allocating budget for artwork preservation and exhibitions.  The artworks collected by the university under this project have been displayed in various buildings on campus to create an artistic atmosphere.  The initiative extended to supporting artists and educating the university community and the society about art.  As the works for art advocacy have become more extensive, the following work units and facilities have been established:

  • Chamchuri Art Gallery: A pioneer of non-profit art organization in Thailand housing rotating exhibitions of artworks by students, university employee and artists.  Exhibitions are open to public.    
  • Chula Museum: A learning resource for the university history with modern interactive exhibits. The museum is also a center for other university museums.
  • Nitas-Stan Exhibition Hall: A space for exhibitions of artworks by renown artists in the national and international levels.  It also hosts exhibitions in collaboration with foreign embassies in Thailand. 

All work units for art advocacy of the university operate entirely on the university budget.  No fee is collected from exhibitors or spectators.  The support for the art by the university results in added values to human resources, community and society as follows:

Learning Resource, Eliciting Inspiration, and Supporting Art Creation

Chamchuri Art Gallery, Chula Museum, and Nithas-Sthan, under the management of Office of Art and Culture, house over 50 exhibitions per year and organize art workshops for children, adults, university employee and the public.  They are instrumental in being a cognitive and aesthetic learning arena for the public regardless of age and walk of life. 

  • Art Kids Workshop, promotes children’s extra-curricula activities.  The participants learn to exercise concentration, make friends from other schools, accept friends of different socio-economic status, develop skills for creative works, and familiarize themselves with attending art exhibitions.
  • An initiative for adults: Happy Art Workshops for any adults including university students, professors, staff, and the public to promote understanding of art creation processes which will increase their appreciation for art.  The principal in conducting these workshops is in agreement with the Four Pillars of Education—Learning to Know, Learning to Do, Learning to Live Together, and Learning to Be.  Stemming from these workshops, participants will be able to supplement their income by creating artworks or apply the knowledge and skills in other forms of recreations.  The past workshops include Ceramic Workshops ‘Pottery—Magic Spoons’ and ‘Pottery—Magic Pets’. 

Innovation and Continuation of Work during COVID-19 Pandemic

During April to July 2020, government offices and public places were closed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Art spaces at Chulalongkorn University had to stop their services and activities, resulting in artists lacking outlet venue for their works, and ensuing economic impact.  The spectators were also unable to enjoy exhibitions.  Art scene in Thailand was at a halt.  Chulalongkorn University, therefore, carried out these projects as an attempt to continue to drive art activities in the society:

  • Artist of the Day is the first project that the university, by Office of Art and Culture, was able to do immediately to promote artists and their works.  One artist and their one art piece is presented daily through Chamchuri Art Gallery online media in April-May 2020.   
  • project presents three-minute video footages of artists and their works through Chamchuri Art Gallery online media.  Four exhibitions are presented each month, with a total of 48 online exhibitions a year.  This is not only to promote artists and their work but also a mean to connect the artists and potential art buyers.   
  • ONLINE Happy Art Workshop is an online version of Happy Art Workshop, in which Chula Museum produces videotape of workshops by guest experts and broadcasts through online media.  This online workshop connects teachers and learners who can access the workshop from anywhere without physical boundaries.

Continuation of Knowledge on the Art as National Heritage

  •  Art Collection Project has continued to be subsidized by the university for more than 30 years.   The collection has become one of the two largest art collection in Thailand.  The artworks in the collection are by renown artists and serve as well-preserved proof of Thai modern art history.
  • Artists’ Biography and Works of Art Archives is a project to collect and document biography and list of renown artists’ work in a form of digital videos titled ‘Honoring Artists’ series.   The purpose of the project is to continue of body of knowledge and be a resource for Thailand’s creative arts.
  • Documentary on Preservation and Restoration of Artworks project to document and educate the public on the process of art preservation and restoration in a form of digital videos for sustainability of art.

Building National and International Networks

  • Forest of Play Exhibition, held between July 11- September 25, 2019 at Nitas-Stan, Art and Culture Building, was a collaboration with PlanToys Thailand, a worldwide-recognized child- and eco-friendly wooden toy manufacturer with focus on sustainability and child development.  The hands-on exhibition transformed Nitas-Stan into a learning space appropriate for enhancing child development (0-6 years) and was very well-received by parents and schools.  The number of children attendees was over 25,000. 
  • CLASS – Clay and Glass International Exhibition and Symposium 2019 during December 2-26, 2019 at Nitas-Stan, Art and Culture Building.  Office of Art and Culture organized the exhibition, in collaboration with Craft Product Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, invited international ceramic artists from Australia, Croatia, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and USA to give workshops and seminar with students, professors from various universities, and artists to create art pieces together and exhibit them to the public.

Division of Museum and Art Gallery
Office of Art and Culture, Chulalongkorn University

Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Tel. +66 218 3645 -6
Email: chulamuseum@gmail.com, chamchuriartgallery@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chulamuseum / www.facebook.com/chamchuriartgallery
Website: http://www.chamchuriartgallery.chula.ac.th