First-year programme of the Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent (CCA)

This article was first published by the Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent.

Centre for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent (CCA). Diesel station exhibition space. Render © Studio KO. Courtesy of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF).

A landmark for Central Asia: The first permanent institution for contemporary art and research in the region, spearheaded by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.

Historic architecture, reimagined: Housed in a 1912 industrial building, the Centre is being transformed by acclaimed French architects Studio KO.

A globally engaged programme: The inaugural year introduces residencies, youth initiatives, professional development, and interdisciplinary public programming.

Looking ahead to 2026: The inaugural exhibition Hikmah will bring together major international and Uzbek artists, with the building opening fully to the public in March 2026.

3 September 2025 – The Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent (CCA), led by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) and its chairperson Gayane Umerova, opens a bold new chapter for contemporary art in Central Asia with the launch of its first-year programme and announcement of its inaugural exhibition, Hikmah. The CCA will be the first institution of its kind in Central Asia as a permanent centre for contemporary art, research, and community engagement in the heart of historic Tashkent, helmed by Artistic Director and Chief Curator, Dr Sara Raza.