In summer 2025, Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, will welcome the region’s first private museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art: the Almaty Museum of Arts. Spearheaded by automotive magnate and philanthropist Nurlan Smagulov, the museum will house an impressive collection of over 700 works, featuring renowned Kazakh and Central Asian artists such as Almagul Menlibayeva and Shaimardan Sariyev, alongside international icons like Alicja Kwade, Yinka Shonibare, and Richard Serra.
Designed by British architects Chapman Taylor, the 9,400-square-meter museum will be gifted to the city, offering a space to celebrate the region’s rich artistic heritage while fostering connections with the global art world. Led by Artistic Director Meruyert Kaliyeva and Chief Curator Inga Lāce, the institution aims to strengthen local artistic infrastructure and encourage dialogue on themes that resonate both regionally and internationally.
The museum will open with two major exhibitions: Almagul Menlibayeva’s solo show I Understand Everything, curated by Gridthiya Gaweewong, and a group exhibition Qonaqtar, curated by Inga Lāce, exploring themes of hospitality and migration through the museum’s collection.
“Almaty Museum of Arts is more than a museum; it’s a bridge connecting Central Asia’s vibrant cultural landscape to the global stage,” Smagulov stated, emphasizing the transformative power of art. The museum seeks to be a beacon of inspiration, bringing contemporary art closer to both local communities and international visitors.
