Uzbekistan has officially launched its first permanent contemporary arts institution with the opening of the Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent (CCA). The groundbreaking cultural facility is housed in a beautifully renovated former tram depot and diesel station that dates back to 1912, which has been completely reimagined by the renowned Paris-based architectural firm Studio KO. This historic transformation represents a significant milestone for the region, as the CCA becomes the first permanent institution dedicated to contemporary art and research in Central Asia.
The center is preparing to launch its inaugural exhibition titled "Hikmah," which means "wisdom" in Uzbek, scheduled to open in March 2026. This highly anticipated exhibition will feature an impressive roster of international and regional artists, including Ali Cherri, Kimsooja, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Muhannad Shono, Nari Ward, and Tarik Kiswanson. The exhibition will also prominently showcase works by talented Uzbek and Karakalpak artists such as Shokhrukh Rakhimov, Vladimir Pan, Daribay Saipov, and Bakhtiyar Saipov. Notable works on display will include Kaabi-Linke's "Flying Carpets," which is being loaned from the prestigious Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and Kimsooja's participatory "Archive of Mind" installation.
The exhibition will also feature new commissioned works that have been developed through the CCA's innovative artist residency program. Adding another dimension to the cultural experience, a parallel music program will complement the visual arts, ranging from traditional Sufi chants to contemporary electronic soundscapes, effectively extending the theme of wisdom into sonic traditions and creating a truly immersive cultural experience.
The Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent is led by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) under the leadership of Chairperson Gayane Umerova. The institution's mission is to create meaningful connections between local heritage and international cultural production. The center is guided by Artistic Director and Chief Curator Dr. Sara Raza, who brings over two decades of extensive curatorial experience across Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and their respective diasporas. Her vision strategically positions the center within Tashkent's rich history as a crossroads for Global Majority thinkers and artists while simultaneously opening it up to contemporary cultural debates and discussions.
The adaptive reuse of the historic building plays a central and defining role in the project's overall identity. The early 20th-century structure was originally designed by Wilhelm Heinzelmann and once served as the power source for Tashkent's first tram line and electricity network. Studio KO's accomplished architects Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty have described their careful intervention as "giving the industrial shell a new poetic life." Their approach involved working extensively with local materials and traditional motifs to create dynamic and flexible spaces specifically designed for evolving artistic encounters and cultural exchanges.
The CCA's comprehensive programming will officially begin in September 2025 with the launch of the CCA Artist Residencies program. This residency program has been active since 2024 and has already welcomed numerous international and regional creative professionals. The impressive 2025 cohort includes sound artist Sarni El-Enany, innovative fashion designer Paria Farzaneh, art historian Vivek Gupta, Afghan miniature painter Jamila Sadat, and Bangkok-based Uzbek artist Dishon Yuldash.
Looking toward the future, the CCA has established plans to anchor its annual calendar with two major recurring initiatives that will define its cultural impact. These signature events include the multidisciplinary Navruz Gala and the ambitious citywide Tashkent Public Art Festival, both designed to engage the broader community and establish the center as a vital cultural hub for the region and beyond.
