Jodhpur Arts Week, inaugurated on 1 October 2025, transforms the historic city of Jodhpur into an open-air art gallery for the first time. Founded by Sana Rezwan and curated by the Public Arts Trust of India (PATI), the week-long festival features exhibitions, installations, panel discussions, and workshops across iconic sites such as Toorji Ka Jhalra, Ghanta Ghar, Mandore Gardens, and heritage hotels like Daspan House and Khaas Bagh. Highlights include a video projection by Raqs Media Collective, a neon installation by Chila Kumari Singh Burman, and works by artists Gaspard Combes, Richa Arya, Jenjum Gadi, Awdhesh Tamrakar, and others, blending contemporary art with Rajasthan's traditional crafts.
This event matters because it marks a significant cultural initiative that brings contemporary visual art into public and heritage spaces in a non-metropolitan Indian city, fostering community engagement and dialogue between local artisans and international artists. By integrating art into everyday urban life and local schools, Jodhpur Arts Week expands access to contemporary art beyond traditional gallery settings, potentially setting a model for similar festivals in other heritage-rich regions.