Mumbai's prestigious J J School of Art is set to receive a cutting-edge museum that will showcase more than 3,500 rare paintings while providing gallery spaces for emerging artists to display their work. The ambitious project, with a tentative budget of Rs 28.7 crore (approximately $3.4 million), will feature an archives section equipped with climate-controlled vaults and research stations for both digitized and physical art collections.

The de novo university has launched an appeal to all its alumni, seeking support through individual philanthropy or corporate social responsibility funding. Government sources indicate that the Jindal Foundation has already expressed interest in financing the project. The proposed three-story building has received approval from Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil.

According to Professor Rajanish Kamat, vice-chancellor (in-charge) of Sir J J University of Art, Architecture and Design, the urgent need for this museum stems from serious preservation concerns. "Leaking roofs, mold proliferation and erosion have threatened the historic structures on campus and the maintenance of recently rediscovered rare paintings at the dean's bungalow," Kamat explained. These issues have sparked concerns among artists, alumni, and former faculty members, who warn that monsoon humidity could accelerate damage to both buildings and invaluable artworks.

Rajiv Mishra, principal of Sir J J School of Architecture, outlined the construction constraints for the heritage campus. "Any new building that comes up on a heritage campus will have to follow the BMC's heritage committee guidelines," Mishra said. "Since JJ is a heritage campus, we cannot exceed 24 meters in height for the museum. For the design, the minister has recommended holding a competition."

The museum, planned to be constructed behind the main building, will feature sophisticated climate control systems on its ground floor. The temperature-and-humidity-controlled art gallery will maintain optimal conditions of 20-22 degrees Celsius and 40-50% humidity to protect rare paintings from Mumbai's challenging climate. Adjacent to the gallery, a modern auditorium will host lectures, exhibitions, and cultural events.

Security measures for the facility will be comprehensive and state-of-the-art. "Stringent security measures will be implemented, including biometric access, 24/7 CCTV surveillance, motion sensors, and tailored fire-suppression systems to safeguard priceless artifacts," Kamat emphasized, citing ongoing concerns about theft and environmental risks. The project design draws inspiration from renowned global institutions like the Louvre, though adapted specifically to J J's unique context and needs.

Kishor Ingale, director of the Directorate of Art, stressed the museum's dual purpose of preservation and accessibility. "We want people to visit the museum to see the rare paintings we have," Ingale said. "Though one organization has shown interest in funding the project, nothing has been finalized yet. We wish to make an appeal to all our alumni and industries to come forward and support the project." He added that the art galleries will provide crucial opportunities for students from underprivileged backgrounds to showcase their work.

Among the recently rediscovered treasures that will be housed in the new museum are significant works by renowned Indian artists. The collection includes Raza's landscapes, Gaitonde's abstract experiments, and Dhurandhar's vivid Mumbai scenes, along with 25-30 sculptures. Each of these artworks is valued in the crores (tens of millions of rupees) and is currently undergoing careful cleaning and cataloguing processes to ensure their preservation for future generations.