our history
Bangla Art Centre Inc., Melbourne
The story of BACV begins with the Bengali community’s journey in Victoria. In 1989, Melbourne’s Bengalis came together to celebrate Durga Puja, a festival that unites families, faith, and tradition. At the time, the Bangladeshi Hindu community was small, and they joyfully joined their Indian Bengali friends in the festivities.
History of BACV
The Bangla Art Centre Victoria (BACV) was founded in 2005 to celebrate and share Bangla culture in Victoria. What began with community Durga Puja celebrations in the late 1980s has grown into a vibrant platform for arts, culture, and heritage, showcasing the richness of Bengali traditions within Australia’s multicultural society.
Full History
The story of BACV begins with the Bengali community’s journey in Victoria. In 1989, Melbourne’s Bengalis came together to celebrate Durga Puja, a festival that unites families, faith, and tradition. At the time, the Bangladeshi Hindu community was small, and they joyfully joined their Indian Bengali friends in the festivities.
As the 1990s unfolded, Melbourne’s Bangladeshi community grew steadily. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the idea emerged to create celebrations that reflected their growing presence. This vision took shape on 13 April 2004 with the establishment of the Bengali Puja and Cultural Society of Victoria (BPCSV), providing the community with an official platform to celebrate both faith and culture.
Yet, a deeper dream remained — to share Bengali culture with the wider Victorian community, not only during festivals but throughout the year. To realise this dream, the Bangla Art Centre Inc. (BACV) was founded and registered in 2005 as a not-for-profit organisation. In 2007 it’s public fund namely the BACV Gift Fund was endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), allowing stronger support for cultural and community initiatives.
Since then, BACV has flourished as a vibrant hub of cultural expression. Through music, dance, theatre, literature, and festivals, BACV has preserved Bengali traditions while passing them on to new generations in Australia. Each program is a celebration of heritage, unity, and pride, while also building meaningful connections with other cultural communities across Victoria.
Today, BACV stands as a proud testament to the Bengali community’s vision: to preserve their roots, celebrate their identity, and build cultural bridges in a diverse and harmonious Australia.
We Support our Community by various projects below.
Social Welfare
BACV Wellbeing Program The Bangla Art Centre Inc. (BACV) in Victoria offers a well-being community program designed for parents of BACV members. This program provides a peaceful space for parents while their children attend religious classes. It addresses the modern challenge of balancing work, family, and self-care, transforming Sundays into a sanctuary for personal and collective growth. The program features a variety of parallel activities, including indoor games like chess and carrom, as well as gentle yoga sessions. These activities help foster mental restoration for parents while their children engage in spiritual education. Research shows that improved parental well-being enhances…
Student Members Team Duties
1) Purpose & Value The Student Members Team is the centre’s learning engine and volunteer corps. It gives school and tertiary students hands‑on experience in Hindu arts and culture while building transferable skills (organisation, digital media, teamwork). The SMT ensures the centre remains youthful, welcoming, and future-ready. Core outcomes Structured learning pathway in Hindu arts and cultural literacy Practical event and project experience with real responsibility Strong pipeline into the Junior and Senior Member teams Increased youth participation and community connection 2) Composition & Eligibility Age/Stage: Secondary and tertiary students (typically 13–22). Entry: Expression of Interest (EOI) + guardian consent…
Junior Members Team Duties
Purpose of the Junior Members Team (JMT) The Junior Members Team acts as the voice of youth and emerging artists, ensuring that the centre remains dynamic, inclusive, and future-focused. They bring fresh ideas, digital fluency, and contemporary perspectives while learning from senior mentors. Core Goals: Empower youth leadership in cultural programming Foster skill development and creative confidence Bridge tradition with modern expression Support community engagement and outreach Composition & Eligibility Age Range: Typically 16–30 years Profile: Students, early-career artists, cultural enthusiasts Selection: Application or nomination; diversity in gender, language, and art forms Tenure: 1–2 years (renewable) Key Responsibilities A. Program…
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