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Uzbekistan’s first permanent contemporary art institution, CCA Tashkent, opened to the public on Sept. 6. The center, a project of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, operates in a historic building dating back to 1912 in central Tashkent.
The building, formerly used as a tram depot and diesel power station, has been converted into a contemporary art center. CCA Tashkent will operate not only as a traditional exhibition venue but also as a cultural platform bringing together exhibitions, artist residencies, research and educational initiatives.
The center’s program also includes lectures, panel discussions, concerts, performances and film screenings. Alongside supporting Uzbek artists, the institution aims to foster cooperation between the local art scene and international artists, researchers and curators.
The center’s inaugural exhibition, “Hikmah,” is curated by Dr. Sarah Raza. Meaning “wisdom” in Arabic, the exhibition explores connections between local traditions, spiritual heritage and contemporary artistic practices.
The exhibition features works by a diverse group of artists, including Muhannad Shono, Nari Ward, Shohruh Rakhimov, Tarik Kiswanson, Kimsooja, Ali Cherri and Nadia Kaabi-Linke. It also includes works by Vladimir Pan, Daribay Saipov and Bakhtiyar Saipov from the collection of the I.V. Savitsky State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
CCA Tashkent’s first international exhibition, “Instruments of the Mind,” is being presented at Palazzo Franchetti in Venice as part of the official parallel program of the 61st Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art. Dedicated to the work of Central Asian contemporary art pioneer Vyacheslav Akhunov, the exhibition is scheduled to remain open until Nov. 22, 2026.
The center is also expanding its residency program beyond the capital. A new program is scheduled to launch in Samarkand in September. While residencies in Tashkent primarily focus on creating new artworks, the Samarkand program will emphasize research, interdisciplinary exchange and engagement with the city’s historical and cultural heritage.
CCA Tashkent is part of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation’s efforts to expand the country’s cultural infrastructure and strengthen international cultural cooperation. The center’s activities will encompass new art projects, international partnerships and cultural exchange in Tashkent and Samarkand.
