In 1989 a group of teachers and few ex-students of Kala Bhavana came together with the idea of creating a centre for community living and art practice. Prof. K.G. Subramanyan suggested the acronym ‘SVAD’, which means ‘taste’ in our vernacular language. In 2003 the society was registered as the ‘Santiniketan Society of Visual Art and Design’ (SSVAD).

The centre has been conceived with the view to offering, with various facilities, an ideal working platform for artists, especially for the young and upcoming artists of this community. The foundation stone for this centre was laid on 25th June 2008 by Prof. Dinkar Kowshik.

The Centre has two studios, one for painting named the Nandalal Studio, and the other for sculpture and ceramics named the Ramkinkar Studio. It has large exhibition cum multipurpose hall called Rabindra Kaksha, a permanent display hall called Benodebehari Chitrashala, a library named Dipak Pathagriha in memory of Dipak Bhattacharya, a brilliant art historian and painter who was one of our active members and is no more with us. There is also a small archive with computers and other electronic equipments attached to the library. Besides, there is also a guest house (can accommodate 12 guests at a time) and a cafeteria. There is a large green space with an open air stage at one end, for various cultural activities.
The Santiniketan Society of Visual art and Design is a non profit organisation dedicated to the development, research and promotion of arts, design and other allied subjects. SSVAD have already successfully organised art workshops, camps and exhibitions. Now after the opening of the Art Centre it propose to extend the activities manifold, including the establishment of exchange programmes with national and international bodies, and creation of professional opportunities for young artists working at the Centre. The young artists working in its studios will be able to use its facilities for experimenting and researching with new ideas as well as consult its library and archive.