A vision for Uzbekistan by Gayane Umerova

Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF)

The Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent is the realisation of a long-term vision to firmly position Uzbekistan at the heart of global cultural dialogue. When we first envisioned the CCA, I knew I wanted it to be open to all, a place for inspiration, dialogue, opportunity and a hub for the community. Through sustained investment in cultural infrastructure and programming, we are – for the first time – building a creative economy across Uzbekistan and I’m so proud of the opportunities for future generations being created through the dynamic programming at the CCA.

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A project by ACDF

The Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent (CCA), a flagship project led by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), opens a bold new chapter for contemporary culture in Central Asia. It marks a significant milestone in a long-term vision spearheaded by Chairperson Gayane Umerova to establish a dynamic, interdisciplinary platform for cultural production and artistic exchange in Uzbekistan.

Through a vibrant mix of exhibitions, residencies, and interdisciplinary public programming, the CCA fosters new connections between Uzbekistan and the wider world. Its year-round calendar positions the Centre as a new force in global cultural discourse: spanning visual art, architecture, design, performance, music, and film; sparking dialogue, supporting artists, and opening access to cultural production for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

These initiatives complement the Centre's ongoing Artist Residencies, launched in October 2024, workshops and labs, offering artists and creatives the opportunity to research, develop and present new work in Tashkent for the first time.

About the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) ACDF preserves, promotes and nurtures Uzbekistan's heritage, arts and culture. Positioned at the forefront of Uzbekistan's cultural development, ACDF and its Chairperson Gayane Umerova are committed to fostering the cultural ecosystem of the country, driving the creative economy, and providing opportunities for practitioners on a local, regional and global stage. ACDF believes that culture and heritage are vital in shaping society, uniting communities, bridging generations, and facilitating cross-cultural conversations. With projects presented across Europe, Asia, and the Gulf, and collaborations with over 40 international museums and cultural institutions, the Foundation is amplifying Uzbek voices and stories in the world's most influential cultural arenas.

Becoming Space by Studio KO

At the crossroads of cultural exchange, Tashkent is an outstanding example of modernist architecture that successfully blended Soviet and Islamic cultures and their respective visual traditions.

The home of the Centre, a 1912-building emblematic of the architectural heritage in Tashkent, was originally designed by Wilhem Heinzelmann, the Head of the construction department for the Turkestan region. Heinzelmann also designed some of Tashkent’s most iconic buildings, such as the Tashkent Real School, the Palace of Grand Duke Romanov, the Treasury Chamber and several other notable landmarks in the city.

Once a diesel station then a tram depot, the building was entrusted to the Foundation in 2019 as part of its long-term cultural development strategy. The structure that now houses the Centre is undergoing a careful transformation, led by Gayane Umerova, in collaboration with acclaimed French architecture firm Studio KO. Their project combines contemporary materials with Uzbek traditions, to create a contemporary space, both contemplative and open.

About Studio KO

Since the beginning of Studio KO's creation twenty-five years ago, architects Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty have marked their influence through projects across Europe, the Americas and Africa. The creative duo embodies an eclectic spirit, approaching each project with a fresh perspective. Whether private residences, public spaces, or contemporary homes in natural settings, each project is a playground. The architects draw their cues from the natural or preexisting infrastructure of a site and then follow those threads. Context, therefore, becomes the starting point for any design. Each custom project generates poetry out of a delicate balance between necessary structural guidelines and the joy of creating a story.