The Almaty Museum of Arts, a modern art museum founded by entrepreneur, philanthropist, and collector Nurlan Smagulov, will officially open its doors on September 12, 2025. Prior to this major regional event, Kazakhstani cultural and art professionals, along with local and international press, had the honor of previewing the program and exhibits. Press representatives traveled to Almaty from across the world to witness internationally renowned artworks now housed in Almaty and familiarize themselves with creations by Kazakhstan's master artists.

Tengri monitored the museum's progress from its foundation, touring the site during peak construction when Nurlan Smagulov, wearing a white helmet and standing among exposed columns and floor structures, declared: "Right here will be Central Asia's biggest exhibition space, suitable for any world-level collection."

Pictured: Museum founder Nurlan Smagulov (center), from left to right: Tatiana Khodzhaeva, Museum Director; Meruert Kalieva, Artistic Director; Adisa Kin, Head of Communications; Almagul Menlibayeva, Artist.

 "This museum is my long-cherished dream come true. As I traveled worldwide, touring capitals, cultural centers, and museums, I continually realized that our city needed a similar venue. Almaty requires a fresh identity, a new vibe—a venue to display art and a space for people to connect. On display are 700 pieces chosen from my personal collection. I'm particularly excited to launch the museum with a personal exhibition by Almagul Menlibayeva—an artist I've known and valued for more than three decades. This carries great symbolism and honor," Smagulov remarked at the unveiling.

The artistic experience starts outdoors: custom-made sculptures stand in the museum's courtyard to receive visitors before they enter the building. The outdoor collection features works that have already become local favorites: the 40-foot "Nades" by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa depicting a girl with traditional Kazakh braids, and British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare's 26-foot aluminum "Wind Sculpture (SG) II" that resembles a sail filled with wind. The Torysh "Valley of Balls" in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region served as inspiration for Berlin artist Alicja Kwade's monumental piece "Preposition," featuring substantial spheres crafted from 16 types of natural stone sourced from around the world.

"Nades" sculpture by Jaume Plensa in front of Almaty Museum of Arts

Equally impressive is the 108,300-square-foot building, created by British architecture firm Chapman Taylor. Its facade combines both ancient and cutting-edge materials. This includes solid, marble-like Jurassic limestone that reveals traces of prehistoric life. It is paired with contemporary materials like gleaming anodized aluminum and COR-TEN steel, known for its protective "living rust" that prevents corrosion.

The first floor features expansive gallery spaces – the "Uly Dala" hall, presenting Almagul Menlibayeva's large-scale retrospective "I Understand Everything," and the "Saryarka" hall displaying the "Konaktar" exhibition.

Artist Almagul Menlibayeva and her exhibition at Almaty Museum of Arts

Over 70% of the collection consists of works by iconic 20th-century Kazakh artists — Zhanatai Shardenov, Tokbolat Toguzbaev, Maktum Kisamedin, and Shaimardan Sariev. Also featured in the collection are pieces by important contemporary Kazakh artists like Rustam Khalfin, Saule Suleimenova, and Said Atabekov. The growing Central Asian art collection features works by Dilyara Kaipova (Uzbekistan) and Jazgul Madazimova (Kyrgyzstan). The collection's global discourse is reflected in pieces by artists including Khadim Ali (Australia), Xu Zhen (China), and Jade Fadojutimi (Britain), together with other outstanding members of the international art world. Among recent additions are pieces by Bakhyt Bubikanova, Elena and Viktor Vorobiev, and Sayan Baigaliev. In the future, the museum plans to keep growing its collection while adhering to its mission of preserving, researching, and displaying contemporary Kazakh and regional art in a wide global framework.

A standalone hall dedicated to the creations of celebrated artist Richard Serra—an enormous intersection-like maze—is also situated on the first floor.

The second floor is dedicated to exhibitions by contemporary masters—Anselm Kiefer's "When These Writings Burn, They'll Finally Give a Little Light," Bill Viola's "Stations," and Yayoi Kusama's "Love Is Calling." These provocative, emotionally charged, and immersive pieces leave no one indifferent and will likely spark lively discussions across social media platforms.

Anselm Kiefer "When These Writings Burn, They Will Finally Give a Little Light," Almaty Museum of Arts

 During the press conference, Smagulov shared a secret: he has purchased an additional piece by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama that will soon be installed in the museum.

"Once this piece arrives, we won't have any room left in the museum," Smagulov quips. "That's why we're already starting to cautiously consider expansion."

Designed as a dynamic cultural hub, the museum will collaborate with global projects, institutions, and curators while offering educational programs and master classes. Collaborative research projects with Tate Modern (London) and Getty Foundation (Los Angeles) will launch as early as October. And in 2026, the first international exhibition will take place.

Starting September 12, the museum will operate daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last admission at 7:00 PM), except on Mondays. Admission costs are similar to government museums: standard tickets cost 2,000 tenge, concession tickets are 500 tenge, and free access is available for certain visitor categories. Detailed information about ticket prices and guided tour programs is available on the museum's official website.