National Gallery of Indonesia
The National Gallery of Indonesia is an art gallery and museum in Jakarta, Indonesia. The National Gallery of Indonesia has existed as a cultural institution in the field of visual arts since 8 May 1999. The institution plays an important role in expanding public's awareness of artworks through preservation, development and exploitation of the visual arts in Indonesia.
History
Educational complex
The original address of the complex was Koningsplein Oost No. 14, Batavia. The main building was built in 1817 by G.C. Van Rijk as an Indische Woonhuis in a Dutch Indies colonial style. The materials for the construction were taken from the remains of Kasteel Batavia.In 1900, the complex was converted into an HBS educational institution known as Carpentier Alting Stichting under the authority of the Dutch Protestant pastor and prominent Freemason Albertus Samuel Carpentier Alting. The former Indies residence was converted into a female dormitory building, while several buildings were added to improve the facility of the school: a lyceum or primary school ; a MULO or junior high school; and a HBS or senior high school.
After independence in 1945, the CAS remained operational to serve Djakarta's large remaining white settler community, although the Indonesian government forced the school to admit students from all races.
In 1955, the Indonesian government banned all activities related to the Dutch colonial administration. The educational institution was placed under the authority of Raden Saleh Foundation, which continued the activities of CAS and remained under the auspices of the Freemasonry.
In 1961, all Dutch students and teachers of CAS were expelled by the Indonesian government and the school was abolished and its premises turned into SDN 01 and Sekolah Menengah Atas 7, "Senior High School 7" In 1962, the military authorities issued a Decision Letter signed by President Sukarno which banned Freemasonry in Indonesia. As a result, the Raden Saleh Foundation was disbanded, and the school was taken over by the Department of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.
After the 30 September Movement in 1965, the main building was used as the headquarters of the Youth and Student Command Unit that held demonstrations demanding the disbanding of the Indonesian Communist Party.
Once the security situation improved, the building was used by the Indonesian Army as Headquarters for the Jayasakti Infantry Brigade under the auspices of the Jakarta Raya V Military Command.
In 1981, based on a telegram from the Army Chief of Staff marked No. 51/1978/1981, and reconfirmed with Jakarta Raya V Military Command Decision Letter No. SKIP/194/1982, the core building was returned to the Department of Education and Culture. Then, based on the Department of Education and Culture Secretary General Decision Letter No. 126/F/1982, dated 28 February 1982, the management of the structure was transferred to the Directorate General of Culture. The core building has since been used as an Exhibition Building and is now the central structure of Indonesia National Gallery.