The rental fees for auditoriums in the Shilpakala Academy institutions nationwide have been reduced. According to the newly adjusted rates, the rental fee for an auditorium with over 500/300 seats equipped with split AC at the district level will now be Tk 3,000 for a single shift of eight hours (2:00pm – 10:00pm). Previously, the amount was Tk 6,000 for the first three hours.

Additionally, for cultural organisations, the rental fee for an auditorium with 500/300 seats and central AC has been set at Tk 4,000 per shift, which was previously Tk 7,000 for the first three hours. This decision was made during a meeting of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Council on December 18.

Furthermore, as per a notice by BSA, the charge for using LED lights has been set at Tk 4,000 per shift, whereas it was previously Tk 5,000 for every three hours. The overall cost of auditorium rentals has been reduced by more than half.

Playwright, educator, and director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed stated, "Several discussions with cultural organisations and stakeholders at the district level have revealed that lowering rental fees is crucial for our local cultural groups. So, we have reduced the auditorium rental fees at the district level according to our inspections." 

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"Our primary focus is not on generating revenue or making a profit. Rather, we are committed to allocating our entire budget to support cultural organisations. As a state institution, our responsibility is to serve the public good, not to embrace a neo-liberal model. If lowering rental fees benefits cultural groups, we take pride in this decision, as our true fulfillment comes from fostering cultural growth, not financial gain."

He further added, "We came to this conclusion during the most recent council meeting, and it was also where the decision to lower rental fees was finalised. While we aim to reduce them further, we must also consider the operational costs involved in running the auditoriums, including lighting, sound, cleaning, and management. Taking these expenses into account, we have established the minimum rental fees for district-level auditoriums."