Improving access to arts education in India.
About Us
IAEC strives to take a multi-faceted approach towards improving access to arts education in India. The initiative is dedicated towards focusing its efforts on three main pillars — infrastructure, experience-based learning and community participation.
Alongside providing supplies and tools to enable students at government schools partnered with Pehlay Akshar to pursue their artistic endeavours, IAEC also looks forward to expanding its reach through resources like curated reading lists, an original arts-focused children's storybook series and book club sessions.
In addition to this, the project also aims to plan vibrant art and dance workshops, student exhibitions and fundraising events to make sure that learners are not only equipped with technical skills but also the support they need to explore their confidence and appreciation for the arts. By combining varied elements, this collective hopes to contribute to a future where arts education isn't a privilege, but a fundamental part of each and every child's learning journey.
Background
India's education system has long emphasized STEM based learning — often at the expense of arts education.
Despite the undeniable value of the arts, school-based art programs continue to remain unprioritized, underfunded and underutilized — more so within underserved communities.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 stresses on the importance of structured arts curriculums, which are lacking in India due to factors like shortage of trained teachers, limited research and focus on examinations. A recent study conducted by the Brookings Institution also showed that engaging with art significantly improves one's problem-solving, emotional regulation and overall academic performance in other subjects. Yet, children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds often miss out on such benefits.
Recognizing the urgent need to integrate arts education into mainstream learning, The Indian Arts Education Collective (IAEC) was founded to address just this while ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to hone their talents. By incorporating various artistic disciplines, IAEC hopes to reshape the art landscape in Indian education and provide young learners with a holistic educational experience.
Our Work
Select a project to read more
Our Partner
Pehlay Akshar Foundation
Pehlay Akshar Foundation is a Mumbai-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the learning experience for children across India. With a focus on building functional English literacy, confident communication and joyful learning environments, the Foundation works in partnership with government systems to reach children from underserved communities.
IAEC is partnering with Pehlay Akshar to integrate arts education into the Foundation's existing learning spaces and outreach programs — co-creating opportunities for children to explore self-expression, creativity and cultural learning through a variety of art forms.
Its programs emphasize storytelling, play-based learning and creativity as central tools for education, while also training teachers to foster inclusive, engaging classrooms. Pehlay Akshar is currently working with state governments, municipal schools and local stakeholders to scale its impact — reaching thousands of students and educators each year.
As part of this ongoing collaboration we are delivering programs together, such as the Get SmART Book Club, ARTisan Art Classes and ImpART Dance Workshops, blending IAEC's original arts curriculum with Pehlay Akshar's facilitation experience and local knowledge, as well as donating art supplies and equipment to students at Pehlay Akshar.
Through this partnership, IAEC and Pehlay Akshar are working hand-in-hand to make holistic, inclusive arts education a regular and meaningful part of every child's learning journey.
About the Founder
Yashvi Shyamsukha
Alongside conceptualizing and overseeing IAEC, Yashvi is an IB Diploma student at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, where she pursues Psychology, Mathematics, Economics, English, Hindi and Chemistry.
Her curiosity extends beyond the classroom and is evident in her involvement with both the Interact Club and Finance Society at her school. She also has hands-on experience in research, museum curation, design and project conceptualization through internships with cultural and creative organizations.
A trained Odissi dancer, visual artist and competitive tennis player, Yashvi enjoys exploring different forms of creativity and expression, both on and off the stage. Driven by this passion, she founded The Indian Arts Education Collective to bridge gaps and make arts education more accessible and inclusive.
“Every child should have the opportunity to learn and create — because when the arts are accessible, culture doesn't just survive, it thrives.”
Resources
Exhibition · October 2024 · Life is Beautiful Studio
Palette of Perspectives
In October 2024, IAEC founder Yashvi Shyamsukha organized Palette of Perspectives, a fundraising exhibition at Life is Beautiful Studio featuring a collection of original artworks exploring themes of colour, abstraction, landscapes, and perspective.
Created over several years and inspired by a range of artistic influences, the exhibition invited viewers to reflect on how our experiences and perspectives shape the way we see the world. Alongside the original paintings, selected artworks were adapted into functional merchandise — including tote bags, laptop sleeves, scrunchies, diaries, and playing cards — with fabric sourced from Jai Vakeel Foundation.
Out of the funds raised by the exhibition, INR 2,00,000 was donated to Pehlay Akshar to expand access to arts education, creative resources, and programming for underserved communities.
Book Club · December 2024 – January 2025 · Pehlay Akshar
Get SmART Book Club
Held across three interactive sessions in December 2024 and January 2025 at government schools partnered with Pehlay Akshar, the Get SmART Book Club invited young readers to explore the ARTiculate Children’s Books through shared reading, guided discussions and creative activities.
The sessions encouraged students to reflect on the stories’ themes of self-expression, identity and community, while discovering how dance, visual art and creative writing can be meaningful ways to express ideas and emotions. Through these conversations and activities, the Book Club nurtured curiosity, creativity and a deeper appreciation for art, literature and cultural storytelling.
Workshops · August 2025 · Showcase December 2025
ImpART Expert-led Dance Workshops & Showcase
In August 2025, IAEC partnered with Pehlay Akshar to organize a series of expert-led Indian classical dance workshops for students. Led by Dr. Prachi Jariwala, a trained Odissi teacher, the workshops introduced students to the fundamentals of movement, rhythm and expression — positioning dance as a key component of a holistic arts education.
Yashvi trained 15 children over two weeks, culminating in an Odissi showcase on the theme of nature and the spring season, performed at Pehlay Akshar’s Spotlight event in December 2025.
Classes · July 2026 · Pehlay Akshar
ARTisan Art Classes
Held across a series of workshops in July 2026 at government schools partnered with Pehlay Akshar, the ARTisan Art Classes introduced students to Indian folk and tribal art through the Indian Folk Art Handbook, designed by IAEC founder Yashvi Shyamsukha.
Through discussions, storytelling and hands-on activities, students explored Gond, Phad and Miniature painting traditions, learning about their cultural origins, artistic styles and significance while creating artworks of their own. The sessions encouraged creativity, cultural appreciation and an understanding of India’s diverse artistic heritage.
Fundraiser · Launched July 2026 · Milaap.com
Play your P-ART Fundraiser
Launched on Milaap.com in July 2026, the Play your P-ART fundraiser sought to raise INR 1,50,000 to support English learning through the medium of art at Pehlay Akshar.
The campaign invited supporters to invest in learning tools and resources such as education games and interactive materials like picture books for the NGO's network of English Rooms across the city of Mumbai.
Support the campaign on Milaap
Visit the fundraiser →Creative Classrooms Bundle
Using funds raised through the Play your P-ART Fundraiser, IAEC donated a wide range Mumbai. Aimed at language development and the goal of long-term impact, the donated items included interactive and learn-through-play resources and games such as Pictionary, Taboo for Kids, Bananagrams, alphabet matching card games, language puzzles, Mad Libs, and Charades for Kids.
The resources used art and fun based learning as a method to strengthen communication, creativity, team work, and critical thinking. Used across Pehlay Akshar’s partner schools, the bundle was included in 10 designated English Rooms.
