Multi-crore Arts and Culture centre to open in 2020: Hek

SHILLONG: The much awaited Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture (SICPAC), being constructed in New Shillong Township, will be completed by next year and the State Government is looking to host intercultural programmes of the tribals in the upcoming centre.
Informing this here on Monday, Arts and Culture Minister, AL Hek said a meeting was held earlier between different departments to ensure coordination among them for early completion of the project.
Terming the upcoming project as one of the most beautiful assets of Meghalaya, Hek informed that more than 70 percent of the project is completed.
The state government is optimistic that the civil work of the project will be completed by September this year.
“Right now interior works are under progress,” he said while informing that once the project is completed, the government would host intercultural programmes of the tribals of Meghalaya.
The government is also keen to host similar cultural exchange programmes for the tribals across the world when the state would host the National Games in 2022.
When asked about the poor roads in and around New Shillong Township, he added that there are no issues as roads are being constructed in the area.
The project with an estimated cost of Rs 151 crore has been sanctioned by the Ministry of DoNER on a 90:10 sharing basis between the Centre and the State.
The centre would, in the long run, host mega events of music, dance, film and theatre festivals particularly for showcasing North East culture, arts and craft at the venue for exchanging cross culture with other states and countries.
The centre will have an open air amphitheatre, performance space, banquet halls, international guest houses and international convention centre with state-of-the-art facilities.
The centre will also house a training facility offering skill development courses in music, arts, films, television and multimedia for the youth of Meghalaya and other Northeastern states and a museum showcasing arts and crafts of the region.