CAAC was established in 2001, when 'Eurocentrism' was still dominating thoughts in every areas of culture. "The art history that was presented to us was that of the West. Many people still take the West as the "world". In these circumstances, with the view to engage critically with the discourses of enlightenment and to sincerely represent our part of the world we started the centre," Zahirul Islam Kochi, president of CAAC, says.

The organisation has been working for cultural decolonisation and national self-determination with a multidisciplinary approach to generate discourses on language, history, religion and other multidimensional issues. "So far we have tried to provide an exposure and to conduct an investigation into the contemporary epistemological discourses. We also have tried to redefine the identity politics," Kochi says.

Itihash Karkhana (a series of workshops on history), Monobisleshan Karkhana (workshop on psychoanalysis), Jacques Lacan Bidyalaya, Dhaka Music Conservatory, Philosophy Festival, Ahmed Sofa Pathagar O Mohafezkhana, publications of Rastroshobha Potromala and workshops on imperialism studies are some of the significant initiatives by CAAC.

CAAC also emphasises on increasing visual literacy. Issues in visual culture are also among the active interest of the centre. So far the centre has conducted four film appreciation courses, four foundation courses on photography, and three Asian Film Festivals. Dhaka Film Society is a sister concern of CAAC. Since its inception (also in 2001), Dhaka Film Society is working to encourage a healthy film environment in the country.

About future plans, Kochi says that they wish to establish CAAC as a resource centre for extensive research and to establish it as a giant publishing house. The centre also hopes to provide long-term fellowships.

Kochi stresses on the need for patronisation from the state, civil society and media in particular, to take their initiatives forward.