Sunaparanta-Goa Centre for the Arts is a non-profit arts education initiative of Dattaraj V. Salgaocar.  It has the following broad aims and objectives: to preserve the artistic and legacies of Goa; to encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in the visual arts (individual, group and organisational); to serve as a bridge between the Goan art community and the national and international art communities; and, most importantly, to provide resource support to art students and others interested in art.

Sunaparanta is conveniently located in the picturesque Altinho hills of Panjim, where residents and visitors to Goa can benefit from a year-long schedule of arts activities and exhibitions. We maintain a full-time administration office. At the moment, regular weekly programmes that run throughout the year, include the Sketch Club, Film for Thought (documentary and art films); The Mango Tree, an art school for children open from Monday through Friday; Open Studio, a clay sculpture workshop, and a number of other workshops and activities. Special collaborative projects, such as public art and prison art, are handled and curated by Founding director, Margaret Mascarenhas, who also curates exhibitions of Goa-based artists. In collaboration with Goa Marriott Resort & Spa the centre has opened Gallery M to provide a platform for new, locally produced art work.

The centre now houses several exhibition galleries, a large multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, studios, two residency rooms for visiting scholars, artists or faculty, an open-air amphitheatre, an open courtyard that houses the Café Al Fresco, and a gallery for emerging artists.  We are also building up an art resource library to support the development of art students.

Sunaparanta intends to be a strong advocate for the arts in Goa.  It will provide working and exhibition space, assistance with exchange and grant funding initiatives, infrastructural and creative support for special co-operative projects, and networking with state, national and international organizations.