CAMI: India’s first online art museum for children, by the children, and of the children

CAMI, Children's Art Museum of India, is India's first online art museum exclusively for children, by the children, and of the children. It is a free platform where children from all over the world can come to learn about art, express their creativity, and be inspired by other artists.

CAMI was founded in 2022 by two teenagers, Manya Roongta (16) and Krish Nawal (13). The duo was inspired by their own experiences of having limited access to display art during Covid-19. They wanted to create a platform that would provide children with access to high-quality art education and resources, regardless of their background or financial situation.

In an interview with Bizz Buzz, Manya Roongta talks about CAMI's mission to nurture creativity and artistic expression in children. She also discusses the platform's unique features, such as its interactive art gallery, free art tutorials, and educational blogs and newsletters

Tell us more about the platform - CAMI?

CAMI is an online art museum dedicated to children. It is a free platform where children from all over the world can come to learn about art, express their creativity, and be inspired by other artists. CAMI offers a variety of features, including interactive art gallery, free art tutorials, educational blogs and newsletters. We also host monthly art challenges where children can express their views through their art.

Give an overview of the museum's mission, vision, and core values?

CAMI's mission is to nurture creativity and artistic expression in children. We believe that every child has the potential to be creative and artistic, and we want to create a space where they can explore their creativity and express themselves freely. Our vision is to be a leading online platform for children's art. We want to be a place where children from all over the world can come to learn about art and get inspired by other artists. CAMI supports child citizenship through its initiatives. Our motto is by the children, for the children, of the children. We believe that art is for everyone, and we want to make CAMI a welcoming and inclusive space for all children. We also believe that art should be accessible to all children, regardless of their background or financial situation.

How did the idea for CAMI form and how the platform was founded?

We were both inspired by our own experiences of having limited access to display art during Covid-19. We wanted to create a platform that would provide children with access to high-quality art education and resources, regardless of their background or financial situation and most importantly geographical boundaries. We founded CAMI in 2022. We worked closely with children and their parents to get feedback on the platform and to make sure that it was meeting their needs and is at par with our vision.

How does CAMI aim to nurture and encourage creativity in children through its online platform?

We nurture and encourage creativity in children through our platform in a variety of ways. For example, our interactive art gallery allow children to explore and get inspired by other artists. Our art tutorials teach children different art techniques and skills. Our art challenges encourage children to be creative and to share their work with others. And our educational blogs and newsletters provide children with information about art history, art techniques, and art appreciation. We also believe that it is important for children to see themselves represented in art. That is why we make sure to feature a variety of artwork from children of all backgrounds and cultures on our platform. Also, our game in Metaverse on Roblox showcase artwork of young artist from our website.

What kind of artwork can children expect to find in CAMI? Are there specific themes or styles that you focus on?

Children can find a variety of artwork on CAMI, including paintings, drawings, sketches, and digital art. We do not focus on any specific themes or styles. We believe that all art is valid and that children should be exposed to a variety of art forms and styles. But to avoid any creative roadblock we do organise monthly art fest on exciting topic. Young artist can also participate in that.

Is it a not-for-profit organization or a business enterprise?

CAMI is a not-for-profit organization. We are committed to making CAMI a free and accessible platform for all children.

How do you describe the entrepreneurial journey of the founders?

Our entrepreneurial journey has been challenging but rewarding. We have faced many challenges along the way, such as developing the online platform and reaching out like-minded people to join us. However, we have also learned a lot and we are proud of what we have accomplished. We are grateful for the support of our team and CAMI audience. We could not have done this without them.

How different is CAMI from other museums of the country?

CAMI is different from other museums in the country in a few but unique ways. First, CAMI is an online museum. This means that it is accessible to children from all over the world, regardless of their location. Second, CAMI is dedicated to children's art. This means that all of the artwork on our platform is created by children. Third, CAMI is free. We believe that art should be accessible to all each and every child irrespective of anything.

Where do you see the museum 5 to 10 years from now?

We see CAMI as a leading online platform for children's art in 5 to 10 years. We want to be a place where children from all over the world can come to learn about art, express their creativity, and be inspired by other artists. We also want to play a role in promoting and preserving the artistic talents of young Indian artists. We plan to do this by hosting exhibitions of children's art, publishing articles about children's art, and partnering with other organizations to promote children's art education. Also, we do want to launch a physical space soon.

What are the future projections and roadmap for the next three years?

Our future projections and roadmap for the next three years include:

• Expanding our reach: We want to expand our reach to more children around the world and develop new partnerships with schools, museums, and other organisations to promote children's art.

• Developing new content: We want to continue to develop new and engaging content for our platform. We plan to develop new art tutorials, art challenges, and educational resources. Whatever that can help children in expressing themselves.

• Building a community: We want to build a strong community around CAMI. We plan to do this by hosting online events, creating social media groups, and partnering with other children’s organisations that support children's art education.

We are excited about the future of CAMI and we believe that it has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of children all over the world.