Activities
Digital Documentation System (Application of digital technology)
A few years back, the Museum established the 'Data Collection Management' section. Inputting of inventory data, object description and conservation data of the collection was started with a pilot project of 627 pieces of Gandharan sculptures. Putting of data of Indian miniature, contemporary paintings, Indian Medieval and contemporary sculptures is also in the offing.
 The data field of the computerised documentation system was developed by the Museum's curatorial staff under the guidance of Dr. B.N. Goswamy and Dr. D.C. Bhattacharyya, art historians, Mr Vidya Nand Singh, the Director of the Museum with the technical support of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Chandigarh U.T. Unit, Planning Commission, Government of India; the Regional Computer Centre (a setup of the National Informatics Centre), Chandigarh and M/s Quark Media House India Limited, Chandigarh.
The data structure is based after surveying the leading institutions, which are having excellent computer documentation facilities available in India and abroad. It consists of all the potential fields necessary for documentation of the Museum's collection and is known as 'MIC-GOMAG' - Master Information card of the Government Museum and Art Gallery.
Other Activities of the Museum
The Museum has got a very large display gallery for temporary exhibitions put up by the artists of different regions from time to time. Also, there is an air-conditioned auditorium, which is given on rent for seminars, get togethers and other cultural activities, and all the major functions of the Museum are held here. It has got a seating capacity of 180 people. The Museum has got a mobile van in which small representative exhibits are put together and different educational institutions, particularly those of the rural area have the opportunity to see these mobile exhibitions. Trained personnel of the Museum conduct these exhibitions. Of the other major activities of the Museum mention should be made of holding of workshops and seminars, lectures by experts in different areas of art and culture, educational film shows and art competitions for the children of the schools and colleges.
Programmes, facilities and activities for people with disabilities
In the year 1992, the Economic and Social Commission for Asian and Pacific Region held a meeting to launch the Asian and Pacific Decade of the Disabled Persons 1993-2002 at Beijing from 1st to 15th December, and adopted the proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of the People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region.
India became signatory to the said proclamation and enacted the Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 to provide inter alia for the constitution of Co-ordination Committee and Executive Committees at the Central and State levels to carry out the various functions assigned to them. Within the limits of their economic capacity and development, the appropriate Government and the local authorities will have to undertake various measures for the prevention and early detection of the disabilities, creation of barrier free environment, provision of rehabilitation services etc.
Keeping in view the said act, the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh took all possible steps for providing barrier free environment in the museum buildings for visitors with disabilities and imparted specialized training to the museum staff with the help of local social and cultural organizations, which are involved in the welfare of the people with disabilities, and doing regular activities to inculcate interest about the museum among disabled persons.
Programmes and facilities for visitors having visual impairments
Museum organizes fortnightly touch tours for the blind and partially sighted visitors, which provide an opportunity for learning by touching, feeling and handling of objects. Museum has selected about fifty objects belonging to different periods and displayed in different galleries, for touch tours. All objects have Braille labels, giving four to five lines information about each object.
Programmes and facilities for visitors having hearing impairments.
Preplanned popular talks, lectures, demonstrations and walking tours are organized in sign language for deaf students. Museum is also planning to have sound enhancement equipments for visitors who are having hearing impairment for gallery talk and tours.
Programmes and facilities for visitors having mobility impairments
Wheelchairs are kept at the reception counter of the museum and issued free of charge, after getting request from the visitor who is having difficulty in walking. Translite signage has also been put up for toilets, water coolers, auditoriums, display sections and galleries.
Programmes and facilities for visitors having developmental disabilities
All of the museum's programmes are open to adults and children with developmental disabilities and some may be adopted to suit individual needs. Discoveries family programmes take place on Second Saturdays of every month; they consist of thematic gallery tours for individuals with developmental disabilities and accompanying family and friends. These programmes are free with prior appointments.
Other facilities to people with disabilities
Museum also sponsors exhibitions, workshops, lectures, seminars, conferences and competition for people with disabilities.
Programmes, facilities and activities for Senior Citizens
Museum takes part every year in the 'Chandigarh Carnival' an annual activity of fun, frolic, creativity and festivity for citizens of Chandigarh and adjoining areas organized by the Chandigarh Administration in the month of November and put up "Senior Citizens Corner" in the Chandigarh Carnival Village to give an opportunity to the Senior Citizens to explore their creative and expressive talent in the field of art and culture. During the Chandigarh Carnival, Senior Citizens are invited to take part in painting and clay modeling and recital of songs and poetries. Materials for painting and clay modeling and musical instruments for songs are provided by the museum for taking part in these activities. Museum also puts up a large canvas with color sketch pens for recording visual signatures by Senior Citizens. Vehicles are also provided to Senior Citizens for bringing and taking them back to their Senior Citizens' Home so that they should not feel any inconvenience in visiting the Chandigarh Carnival Village for taking part in Art and Cultural Activities.
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