A new Center for Contemporary Arts officially opened in Tashkent on September 6.
The Center for Contemporary Arts is a flagship project of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation. The center was established at the initiative of the Head of State, reflecting the country’s consistent efforts to develop culture, support the creative community, and expand international cultural cooperation.
On September 4, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the new Center and toured its facilities.
Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of consistently developing contemporary art. It reflects the worldview, creative exploration, and constructive potential of today’s generation, opening new opportunities for dialogue with the world and strengthening the cultural image of New Uzbekistan.
The new center should become an open platform for artists, curators, researchers, and young people, as well as a hub for contemporary creators from Uzbekistan and abroad.
It is the first state center for contemporary art in Uzbekistan and the first cultural institution of its scale in Central Asia, bringing together exhibition, educational, research, and outreach activities.
The new center is housed in a historic building built in 1912 and designed by architect Wilhelm Heinzelmann. Originally, the building housed a tram depot and was later used as a diesel power station.
The architectural concept for the restoration was developed by the French firm Studio KO. The renovation preserved the building’s historic appearance and industrial character while adapting it to the requirements of a modern cultural venue.
The center also includes spaces for meetings and public programs, a concept store, and a restaurant. The specialized library and research archive, both open to the public, house literature and materials on art, visual culture, and critical theory.
The center will host exhibitions, lectures, public discussions, film screenings, concerts, performances, creative workshops, and art residencies. These programs are designed to support Uzbek artists, curators, researchers, and young professionals, introduce new professional practices, and expand public access to contemporary art.
The center is developing partnerships with leading international cultural institutions. These include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the National Museum of Asian Art in the United States, Tate and the Delfina Foundation in the United Kingdom, the Centre Pompidou in France, and Arts Council Korea.
Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of making the center a vibrant space open to creative young people, the professional community, and the wider public. Particular attention was given to expanding international ties, attracting renowned contemporary artists to Uzbekistan, and supporting new projects by Uzbek artists.
Photo: president.uz
