Tashkent’s Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) is poised to become a major player in shaping Uzbekistan’s cultural future with its new paradigm for contemporary art, interdisciplinary artistic exchange, and reviving artisanal traditions.
The Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is poised to become a major player in shaping the country’s cultural future. As the institution prepares to reopen in September 2025 following a major renovation and expansion, its artistic director Sara Raza is working to establish a new paradigm for contemporary art in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan has long been a crossroads of ancient cultures, traversed by the Silk Road and enriched by diverse civilizations. From Marco Polo‘s vivid descriptions of the region as a ‘tapestry of ancient cultures’ to Italo Calvino’s poetic romance Invisible Cities, these literary masterpieces testify to the region’s enduring fascination and profound impact on the Western imagination.
Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan shares borders with five countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Tajikistan to the southeast, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
The country's terrain is largely desert, with vast expanses of sand dunes and salt lakes.
The climate is dry and continental, with hot summers and cold winters.
The capital city, Tashkent, is situated in the eastern part of the country.
The CCA has launched a new residency program that invites international artists to engage with Uzbekistan’s heritage and artisan traditions. This renewed emphasis on reviving artisanal traditions is closely tied to one of Sara Raza’s core goals: reshaping the CCA into an interdisciplinary center that supports projects across design, fashion, and music.
Uzbekistan boasts a rich cultural heritage, with its strategic location on the Silk Road contributing to its unique blend of Eastern and Central Asian influences.
The country is home to numerous ancient cities, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
These cities feature stunning examples of Islamic architecture, including mausoleums, madrasahs, and mosques.
Uzbekistan's heritage also encompasses a rich textile tradition, with intricate embroidery and carpet-weaving techniques passed down through generations.
Uzbekistan has a notably young and dynamic population, with 65 percent under 30. Building strong links between the CCA and local universities is key to expanding the museum’s role in shaping the next generation of cultural operators and art professionals in the country.
The government is backing this cultural revival, driven by the recognition that creative and artistic sectors are central to both national development and international prestige. The recent World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE), held in Tashkent under the theme Inclusively Creative: A Shifted Reality, has firmly established itself as a major global gathering.
The inaugural Bukhara Biennial, launching on September 5, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in Uzbekistan’s emergence as a contemporary art hub. Organized by the Uzbekistan ACDF, the biennial aims to transform the historic city into a dynamic platform where tradition and heritage intersect with contemporary art and creative innovation.
The Bukhara Biennial is a contemporary art festival held in Bukhara, 'one of the oldest cities on the Great Silk Road' , Uzbekistan.
Established in 1995, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious biennales in Central Asia.
The event features a diverse range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art.
Each edition focuses on a specific theme, often exploring the intersection of art, culture, and society.
The Bukhara Biennial attracts artists from around the world, providing a unique platform for cultural exchange and artistic innovation.
Meanwhile, another ambitious cultural milestone is on the horizon: the New State Art Museum in Tashkent, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Tadao Ando. Spanning over 40,000 square meters and intended to house a collection of more than 100,000 objects and artifacts, the museum will offer an encyclopedic exploration of the region’s cultural legacy.
As the CCA takes its place as a major player in shaping Uzbekistan’s cultural future, it is clear that this new era marks a pivotal moment for contemporary art in the region. With its commitment to interdisciplinary artistic exchange, reviving artisanal traditions, and expanding educational relationships with local universities, the CCA is poised to play an instrumental role in reshaping the country’s cultural landscape.
