The national academy of the arts at Segunbagicha: the National Theatre, the National Art Gallery, and most of Dhaka's group-theatre nights.
The Shilpakala Academy was founded by an act of parliament on 19 February 1974 as the national institution for the arts. It works through six departments — fine arts; theatre and film; music, dance and recitation; research and publication; training; and production — and runs a district academy in each of the country's 64 districts.
The Segunbagicha campus holds the National Theatre, the National Art Gallery, a building for music, dance and recitation, and a training building. Plays run on its stages and exhibitions hang in its galleries through most of the year, and the Academy organises international festivals, the Asian Art Biennale among them.
It has also become the home of the city's group-theatre scene. From the late 1980s theatre companies moved their productions here from Bailey Road, drawn by more stages and lower hall rents, and most of them never went back. Ticket prices are set by the company staging each show.
Cultural Gathering
The national academy of the Bangla language, in Burdwan House — and host of the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela every February.
Ramna, Dhaka
Amar Ekushey Boi Mela: Every February
Varies by programme — see the Academy's notices
Details
Cultural Gathering
The music institution behind the Pohela Boishakh dawn concert at Ramna Batamul, with its own auditorium and school in Dhanmondi.
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry to many programmes is by audience pass, applied for and downloaded on Chhayanaut's website. The hours shown are the reception desk's; programmes can run later.
Details
Cultural Gathering
Bengal Foundation's arts centre in Dhanmondi: exhibitions, music recitals, talks and screenings — free and open to all.
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Exhibitions & events: Times vary by programme — see the foundation's listings
Free entry
Details