Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages

The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (sometimes abbreviated as the JKAACL ) is a society registered with the government of Jammu and Kashmir as a cultural organization for the promotion of regional languages, arts, and culture in Jammu and Kashmir.

The academy was founded in 1958 by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir by a conditional provision of Section 146 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. It was considered an autonomous corporate body until 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir state was reorganised as the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the union territory of Ladakh.

In 2021, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir converted the academy to a "society," registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The decision was intended to give maximum freedom to the institution to work as an independent institution after 2019.

Under new government orders, the academy is currently governed through various bodies: the general council, the central committee, and the finance committee.

The society's official objectives include to promote co-operation, translation, and cultural exchange in arts and culture; to publish writings on arts, culture, and related subjects, including encyclopedias; and to promote events and awards.

Main Functionaries
Among the luminaries who have played pivotal roles in the Academy's journey are figures like Mohammad YusufTaing, Balwant Thakur, Javaid Rahi and Zafar Iqbal Minhas. Their contributions reflect a deep commitment to the flourishing art, culture and linguistic traditions that define the heart and soul of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of the academy covers the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the central agency in the matters of interaction and co-operation between Jammu and Kashmir and the Central and other State Academies. It involves itself in the following areas: The society supports the following languages:
 * 1) Language and literature
 * 2) Music, dance, and other performing arts, including theatre
 * 3) Visual, creative and fine arts
 * Hindi
 * Dogri
 * Gojri
 * Punjabi
 * Urdu
 * Kashmiri
 * Pahari
 * English
 * Shina

Location and management
The academy has its main offices at Canal Road, Jammu, opposite the science college. The other offices are at Lalmandi, Srinagar, Rajouri, Kathua, and Doda.