A new state-of-the-art museum is proposed to be set up on the premises of the J. J. School of Art with an archives section having climate-controlled vaults and research stations for digitized and physical collection, reported The Times of India (ToI) on September 11, 2025. It will also display over 3,500 rare paintings and have art galleries where up-and-coming artists can showcase their work. A modern auditorium is also planned as a venue for lectures, exhibitions and events. The School was set up by Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy in March 1857.
Experts have warned that leakages and mold on the heritage structures will damage the recently rediscovered rare paintings in the dean’s bungalow, reported ToI. The fear that monsoon humidity will accelerate the damage to the historic buildings and adversely affect the artefacts has spurred action to create a new building.
The proposed three-storey building, which has received the green signal from Maharashtra’s education minister Chandrakant Patil, has a tentative budget of Rs 28.7 crores (USD 3.23 million). Appeals have been made to alumni to contribute generously, either in their individual capacity or through corporate social responsibility schemes.
"Since JJ is a heritage campus, we cannot exceed 24 meters of height for the museum,” said Rajiv Mishra, principal, Sir J. J. School of Architecture, underlining the fact that they will have to follow the Bombay Municipal Corporation’s guidelines for heritage precincts. It is expected that a competition will be held for selecting the design.
"We want people to visit the museum to see the rare paintings,” Kishor Ingale, director, Directorate of Art told the newspaper. The newly uncovered works include those by senior masters Vasudeo Gaitonde, Sayed Haider Raza and Mahadev Dhurandhar which are valued in crores of rupees today. S. V.