In 1989 a group of teachers and few ex-students of Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, 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).​

When the proposal was made, artists all over India very generously donated their art works, which raised a considerable fund for the construction of the art centre. 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 25^th June 2008 by Prof. Dinkar Kowshik.

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 organises art workshops, residencies and exhibitions. It proposes 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 consult its library and archive and use its facilities for experimenting and researching with new ideas, concepts and materials.