The Maharashtra government has approved the proposal to organise the 65th State Art Exhibition in Sangli district in February 2026. The decision was finalised during a review meeting chaired by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil at Mantralaya, where a range of issues related to strengthening art education across the state were discussed.

The Maharashtra State Art Exhibition, held annually by the Directorate of Art, features two major components — the Artists’ Section and the Students’ Section. While the Artists’ Section traditionally takes place in Mumbai, the Students’ Section is rotated across districts to widen reach and ensure participation from students in various regions of the state. This year, the government has decided to host the Students’ Section in Sangli, offering young artists from across Maharashtra an opportunity to present their work to a new and diverse audience.