The ninth edition of the FICA Patrons Programme began with an intimate welcome dinner hosted by Nitya and Mahesh Bharany at their home. Patrons spent a delightful evening exploring the Bharanys’ remarkable collection of miniatures and rare antiquities, with stories and conversations flowing over a shared love for art and history.

Each new edition of the Patrons Programme begins with a sense of renewal and anticipation, and this evening set the tone for the year ahead. We’re deeply thankful for the warmth, enthusiasm, and continued commitment of our patrons, whose presence makes every gathering meaningful.

The FICA Emerging Artists Show is a landmark event that presents some remarkable young practices every year. The patrons got an exclusive walkthrough by the FICA team of this exceptional show at Vadehra Art Gallery in July, however the image enters, its force remains. This year, there were an unprecedented 10 artists’ works exhibited in a diversity of mediums, works that moved, provoked, inspired and awed the viewer. To round off the evening, we had an interesting discussion led by Tarana Sahwney about buying and curating art by emerging creators.

The Patrons Trip to Vadodara was another grand success. Short but packed, the trip was well attended. Patrons visited the Lakshmi Vilas Palace Museum to view the spectacular Royal Collection, the Amin private collection, the home of artists Gulammohammed and Nilima Sheikh, a contemporary residency site, Space Studio and the dynamic upcoming Ark Foundation for the Arts to see their beautiful collection!

The programme began with a walkthrough with photographer Raghu Rai as part of his ongoing exhibit at KNMA. It was a truly memorable experience, as he and Roobina Karode reflected on his extraordinary body of work in an engaging conversation. Patrons then had the rare opportunity to be guided by Rai himself through the exhibition, enriched by his personal anecdotes and insights behind the photographs.

Our Patrons were invited to an exclusive walkthrough at the Delhi Contemporary Art Week, a vibrant and lively art experience. A very special and exceedingly popular event, it is always a highlight of the patrons' calendar—bringing together some of the most dynamic galleries and voices in contemporary art. This year’s walkthrough offered an energising glimpse into emerging practices, curatorial conversations, and the pulse of the city’s evolving art landscape.

FICA Patrons were rolled out the red carpet with full VIP privileges at the second edition of Art Mumbai. Collectors’ home visits (some just for us), exclusive dinners and walkthroughs, and most of all, fabulous art at the main venue and at galleries, introduced by the artists themselves or seasoned gallerists, made the experience rich, varied and full of learning and sensory pleasure. The visit to artist Shilpa Gupta’s studio was a revelation and a delight. Extra kudos and thanks to FICA Patron Jai Danani for hosting a lovely lunch at the Fair!