The Almaty Museum of Arts, set to open in summer 2025, will be the first private museum of regional modern and contemporary art in Central Asia. Founded by Kazakh automotive magnate and art enthusiast Nurlan Smagulov, the museum will showcase over 700 artworks from Kazakh and Central Asian artists as well as international figures. The collection will be gifted to the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis and Smagulov’s hometown.
Led by Artistic Director Meruyert Kaliyeva and Chief Curator Inga Lāce, the museum will focus on presenting and preserving modern and contemporary art from Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The 9,400-square-metre building designed by British architects Chapman Taylor will house the collection which will continue to expand.
In addition to showcasing the collection, the museum aims to strengthen local artistic infrastructures and provide a platform for dialogue between Central Asian art and the global art scene. The museum will open with two exhibitions: a solo show by Kazakh artist Almagul Menlibayeva and a group exhibition titled ‘Qonaqtar’ curated by Inga Lāce.
According to Smagulov, the museum serves as a bridge connecting Central Asia’s art with the global cultural scene. The mission is to create an inspiring space for both locals and international visitors to experience contemporary art that resonates with universal human experiences while showcasing the distinctive cultural voices of the region. Almaty Museum of Arts is poised to become a vibrant hub for contemporary art in Central Asia.
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