Tamil Nadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu was established in the year 1975 for encouraging the artists in the field of Painting, Sculpture and Graphics. Tamil Nadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu was merged with the Department of Art and Culture in the year 2008. Tamil Nadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu is implementing the schemes from the grants sanctioned by the State Government.
Two Art Galleries of Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu are available, one at Udagamandalam and the other at the Regional Cultural Centre, Madurai with creative pieces of eminent artists of Tamil Nadu. They captivate the attention of tourists from other parts of the country.
With a view to encourage the eminent artists in the field of Painting and Sculpture in recognition of their meritorious service in the field of Traditional Art and Contemporary Art, 'Kalaichemmal' awards are being conferred on them by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Kalaichemmal awardees are given a citation and a cash award of Rs.1,00,000/-. So far, 21 eminent artists from traditional art forms and 52 eminent artists from contemporary art forms have been conferred with this title.
In order to encourage the creative artists and to develop the Painting and Sculpture arts, the Traditional Art / Contemporary Art exhibitions are conducted at state level. The Painting / Sculpture works are collected from the artists of Tamil Nadu. The Painting and Sculpture works are selected by the selection committee constituted by the Government and the selected art works are exhibited at Chennai. The best Traditional / Contemporary art works in Painting and Sculpture are awarded. In the senior category (above 30 years of age), 30 senior artists are awarded cash award of Rs.15,000/- each with a certificate of appreciation, 30 Junior artists (below 30 years of age) are awarded cash award of Rs.10,000/- each with a certificate of appreciation and totally a sum of Rs.7.50 lakhs to 60 artists.
For encouraging the talented artists of Tamil Nadu in the field of Painting, Sculpture and to enable them to conduct exhibition, Rs.25,000/- each is given to 10 artists for conducting one-man shows and Rs.50,000/- each to 5 groups of talented artists. This scheme encourages and create awareness among the Painters and Sculptors. From the year 2018-2019, every year a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- is being allotted by the Government for conducting one-man shows and group shows.
In order to encourage the outstanding students of Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai and Kumbakonam, a scholarship of Rs.5,000/- each is awarded to outstanding final year Post Graduate Students. Similarly, Rs.3,000/- each is awarded to outstanding final year Under Graduate students.
Every year, educational scholarship is given for 10 outstanding students studying in final year B.F.A. at Rs.3000/- each and 4 outstanding students studying in final year M.F.A. at Rs.5000/- each in Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai. Similarly for the Government College of Fine Arts, Kumbakonam, 10 outstanding students studying in final year B.F.A., are given scholarship at Rs.3000/- each and 2 outstanding students studying in final year M.F.A., are given scholarship at Rs.5000/- each. Every year around 26 outstanding students are benefitted. Totally, a sum of Rs.90,000/- is allotted and awarded as educational scholarship as recommended by the Principals of the respective Colleges