Children are given a shared space on the wall and are treated as artists.
Unschooled is a celebration of the untrained eye, the unguarded mark and the unfiltered imagination of children. The work on the walls was made not to impress, but to express.
Children reflect the society they grow up in. What they see around them, what they hear at home, what makes them happy, it all finds its way onto the paper. When a child draws, we get to see our world the way they see it.
Every work is made by a child between five and twelve. Nothing has been corrected, tidied or finished by an adult hand. What you are looking at is exactly what they meant.
Curated by Tushaar A M, artist and art educator.
Sixteen slots at Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bengaluru, for children aged 5 to 12. Five days on the wall.
Three ways to take part. All of them put your child's work on the same wall, for the same five days.
A first showing
A fuller wall
For the child who wants to keep going
A3 is the recommended size. Larger works are welcome, and are charged according to the wall space they take. If a work sells during the show, I take a commission of 20 percent and the rest goes to the family. A personalised watercolour portrait can be arranged at an extra cost and is not part of the participation fee.
Your child chooses the subject. Nobody hands them one.
No sample pinned up in front of them to copy, and no adult hand tidying the edges afterwards.
Crayon, poster colour, pencil, collage, whatever they reach for.
Not when it looks finished to an adult.
There is no ranking, no prize and no judging. Every child in the show is shown the same way.
The first edition ran at Venkatappa Art Gallery. Eight children showed their work alongside a contemporary artist, and around eighty people came on the opening day alone. The opening had a lamp lighting that every parent took part in, a speech by a practising artist, a group photograph and high tea. Several children stood next to their work and explained it to strangers.
Three visitors asked about buying a child's work, and one of those works was sold.
Every child went home with a certificate of participation and a printed catalogue of the show.
Thank you so much Tushaar, it was a wonderful experience btw, my daughter got a real understanding of how the art world works.
Dr. Monica, parent of a participant
Thank you so much, Tushaar Sir, for organizing everything so beautifully and giving the kids such a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talent at the prestigious Venkatappa Art Gallery. It was truly a memorable and encouraging experience for them. Really appreciate all your efforts and support!
Pavan, parent of two sisters who took part
A heartfelt thank you for selecting Ziva's painting and giving her the wonderful opportunity to be part of her very first art exhibition. This experience has been incredibly special and memorable for her, and for our family as well.
Your recognition of her artwork has given her so much encouragement and confidence as a young artist. We truly appreciate the faith you placed in her work and the platform you provided for her to showcase her talent.
Ruhi, parent of a 7 year old
Photographs of other people's children go up only with their parent's consent. Tag @tusha.art when you post. All photos can be shared in the parents group, which stays active for a month after the show.
Two printed copies for each family, plus a digital version you can send to relatives and friends.
Invite whoever you like. Many children invite grandparents, cousins and their class teacher.
How to be around the children at the show. If you are unsure how to approach a particular child, say nothing and do nothing. Let them be and enjoy an art show.
If a child is open to it, compliment the effort. A handshake is plenty. Do not push for photographs and do not hype them up. Overlook the small mistakes and feel proud of the whole thing.
For most of them this is a first exhibition at a young age. They need to feel comfortable, not performed at.
No. There is no selection based on skill and no assessment of the work. Unschooled is about what a child sees and wants to say, not about technique. Children who have never attended an art class are welcome.
No. The exhibition is open to any child aged 5 to 12 in Bengaluru. The tusha.art colouring classes are separate, and joining them is not a condition.
₹5,500 shows three works. ₹8,500 shows six. ₹12,500 shows six and adds extended guidance on how a gallery works, plus a one to one feedback session with a senior artist. Every slot gets the same five days on the wall, the same catalogue page and the same certificate.
A3 is the recommended size and it hangs well alongside the other children's work. Larger works are welcome. They are charged according to the wall space they need, so tell me what you are planning and I will give you the amount before you commit.
Your child does. No theme is set, no sample is given to copy, and nothing is corrected afterwards. If a subject looks odd to an adult eye, that is usually the interesting part.
At home, in their own time. You submit the finished works before the show so they can be prepared, labelled and photographed for the catalogue. I will give you the submission date when you enquire.
Any medium your child likes. Crayon, poster colour, pencil, watercolour, collage. On paper is easiest to hang. If you are planning something three dimensional, message me first so we can plan the wall.
The fee is not refundable once paid. If the event itself is cancelled, your money is returned in full.
Yes. I paint these by hand and they can be arranged at an extra cost. It is not included in any of the three participation fees. Ask me when you enquire and I will tell you the price.
It can. At Unschooled 1.0 three visitors asked about buying a child's work and one sale went through.
Nothing is sold without your agreement. If a work sells, I take a commission of 20 percent and the rest goes to your family.
Yes. The work belongs to your child. You collect it at the gallery after the show, and a porter can be arranged if carrying it home is difficult.
No. There is no ranking and no judging. Every child is shown with the same label and the same certificate. Comparison is the thing Unschooled is built to avoid.
No. Nobody is made to speak, perform or pose. Children are asked in advance if they want to talk about their work, and saying no changes nothing. Parents are asked not to push for photographs or hype children up.
No. The opening evening is the one worth keeping free. I represent the children and the exhibition through the rest of the run. You are welcome any day, and welcome to bring guests.
The works are validated by a practising artist, and the certificate carries that validation. Edition 1 was validated by Jyotirmoy Dalapati.
The show is built for 5 to 12. If your child is just outside that, message me and we will talk about it rather than rule it out by a number.
Send an enquiry below. I reply on WhatsApp with the dates, the slot you want and the submission date. If it suits you, I send a payment link and the slot is yours. Nothing is charged on this page.
Message me on WhatsApp at +91 98180 15569 or write to thetushaartimes@gmail.com. I answer everything myself.
Fill this in and I will message you on WhatsApp with the dates, the submission date and anything else you want to know. No payment here, and no obligation.
In a hurry? Message +91 98180 15569 on WhatsApp.