Kazakhstan launches Central Asia’s first private contemporary art museum
$100 million project in Almaty aims to reshape regional art scene, showcasing global names alongside Central Asian artists
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan is set to open Central Asia’s first private contemporary art museum, a $100 million institution scheduled to debut in September 2025 in the country’s largest city, Almaty.
The Almaty Museum of Arts is designed to elevate Kazakhstan’s cultural profile and connect Central Asia’s artists with global audiences. The 10,000-square-meter complex, designed by London-based Chapman Taylor with Buro Happold and Lord Cultural Resources, incorporates stone to echo the surrounding mountains and metal to reflect Almaty’s urban dynamism.
The facility will feature permanent and temporary exhibition halls, artist studios, performance spaces, auditoriums, and a restoration lab. Its growing collection already includes more than 700 works, from Kazakh and Central Asian artists to internationally acclaimed figures such as Yayoi Kusama, Richard Serra, Alicja Kwade, Yinka Shonibare, and Bill Viola.
At the museum’s entrance, “Nades,” a 12-meter sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, has already sparked national debate. Depicting a girl with closed eyes, the piece was described by founder Nurlan Smagulov as a tribute to the “strength, dignity, and beauty of women.” While some praised its serenity, others questioned its cost and originality — a sign, analysts say, that the institution is already achieving its aim of provoking public dialogue.
The museum’s leadership includes artistic director Meruert Kalieva, founder of Almaty’s Aspan Gallery, and chief curator Inga Lāce, formerly of the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art and a contributor to the Venice Biennale.
The opening program will feature two major exhibitions: I Understand Everything, a retrospective of Kazakh artist Almagul Menlibayeva, and Qonaqtar, a group show on migration and hospitality drawn from the collection.
Beyond exhibitions, the museum is expected to serve as an educational platform with lectures, workshops, and children’s programs.
Analysts say the project could boost cultural tourism, strengthen Kazakhstan’s international profile, and accelerate Almaty’s emergence as a creative hub in Central Asia.
With its combination of global ambition, regional identity, and provocative installations, the Almaty Museum of Arts is positioned to resonate far beyond Kazakhstan’s borders.
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