Almaty Museum of Arts to Open in Summer 2025
2025 is set to be a landmark year for the global museum industry. Leading international publication Architectural Digest has released its list of the most exciting and long-awaited museum openings worldwide. Among the 11 selected cultural institutions from the USA, France, Japan, the UAE, and the Netherlands, one name stands out for Central Asia: Almaty Museum of Arts – Kazakhstan’s first private contemporary art museum.
Kazakhstan will welcome the Almaty Museum of Arts, a landmark cultural institution, in summer 2025. As Central Asia’s first private museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, it will showcase over 700 works from its founder Nurlan Smagulov’s collection, spanning Kazakh pioneers like Aisha Galimbayeva and Rustam Khalfin to global icons such as Richard Serra and Yinka Shonibare.
Designed by global architecture firm Chapman Taylor, the museum’s striking form reflects Almaty’s dual identity as a vibrant urban hub and a gateway to the Tian Shan mountains. Two interlocking L-shaped structures—one clad in limestone, the other in aluminum—symbolise the harmony between natural landscapes and urban energy.
The 9,400m² space will feature permanent and temporary galleries, artist rooms, and experimental spaces like the luminous Art Street corridor, along with a café, shop, and event venues. Outdoor terraces and plazas will further enhance public engagement. A 12-metre-high gallery will enable ambitious exhibitions, while state-of-the-art conservation labs and storage facilities will ensure the collection’s preservation.
With $30 million invested in the building and an additional $70 million for art and equipment, the Almaty Museum of Arts is set to become a major cultural and social hub, offering an unparalleled platform for Central Asian art alongside international works. Its opening promises to position Almaty as a key destination in the global arts scene.
Owner and philanthropist Nurlan Smagulov, Chapman Taylor Director and project designer, Chris Lanksbury
Designed by global architecture firm Chapman Taylor, the museum’s striking form reflects Almaty’s dual identity as a vibrant urban hub and a gateway to the Tian Shan mountains. Two interlocking L-shaped structures—one clad in limestone, the other in aluminum—symbolise the harmony between natural landscapes and urban energy.
The 9,400m² space will feature permanent and temporary galleries, artist rooms, experimental spaces like the luminous Art Street corridor, and a café, shop, and event venues. Outdoor terraces and plazas will further enhance public engagement. A 12-metre-high gallery will enable ambitious exhibitions, while state-of-the-art conservation labs and storage facilities will preserve the collection.
With $30 million invested in the building and an additional $70 million for art and equipment, the Almaty Museum of Arts is set to become a major cultural and social hub. It will offer an unparalleled platform for Central Asian art alongside international works. Its opening promises to position Almaty as a key destination in the global arts scene.
A World-Class Architectural Project
The museum’s architecture is the result of a collaboration between British firm Chapman Taylor and international consultancy Lord Cultural Resources – known for their work on iconic institutions such as:
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Museum of Islamic Art in Doha
- Centre Pompidou in Paris
Designed to meet the highest international standards, the Almaty Museum of Arts will include permanent exhibition halls as well as a 1,000 m² temporary exhibition space featuring natural lighting and soaring 12-meter ceilings – ideal for hosting large-scale international shows.