Mumbai | September 3, 2026
Mumbai will host the 19th Art Deco International Conference in January 2029 after Art Deco Mumbai was voted by the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies to stage the six-day international gathering, according to an announcement reported by Mid-Day.
The conference will bring scholars, conservationists, enthusiasts and Art Deco societies from around the world to the city. It is expected to focus on Mumbai’s distinctive Art Deco architecture, its history and ongoing conservation efforts, while creating a platform for talks, exchanges and public celebrations.
Art Deco Mumbai founder and trustee Atul Kumar said the conference would offer an opportunity to present the city’s architectural legacy to a wider international audience. The organisation has highlighted Mumbai’s Art Deco buildings as an important part of the city’s urban identity, particularly in areas around Marine Drive and other historic precincts.
The architectural style is closely associated with Mumbai’s interwar building boom and remains visible in residential, commercial and institutional structures across parts of South Mumbai. Its presence forms part of a larger built heritage landscape that includes the city’s historic streets, public buildings, cinemas and waterfront-facing neighbourhoods.
The 2029 conference will place those buildings and their conservation within an international forum. According to Kumar, the programme is expected to combine academic discussions with exchanges among conservation groups and Art Deco societies. The event will also include celebrations linked to the city’s architectural character, although specific venues, speakers and programme details have not yet been announced.
Art Deco Mumbai’s announcement comes as the city continues to draw attention for the scale and character of its Art Deco architecture. The style is particularly prominent in the precinct opposite Marine Drive, where curved facades, geometric detailing and streamlined forms define a substantial part of the streetscape. These buildings are used as homes and commercial premises, making conservation a question that involves both architectural value and everyday urban life.
Hosting an international conference will require coordination between the organising body, conservation professionals, civic authorities, property owners and other stakeholders connected with Mumbai’s historic districts. The announcement did not provide details about the administrative arrangements, funding structure or any new conservation measures linked to the event.
It also did not specify whether the conference would result in additional restoration projects, policy changes or formal commitments for the city’s Art Deco buildings. Those details are likely to emerge as the organisers develop the programme for January 2029.
For now, the confirmed milestone is the selection of Mumbai as host of the 19th Art Deco International Conference. The six-day gathering is scheduled for January 2029 and will centre on the city’s architectural history, conservation work and place within the global Art Deco movement.
