Address: 6 Amir Temur Street, Building B, Tashkent
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday: 10:00–20:00; Friday–Saturday: 10:00–22:00; Monday: closed.
Location: Google Maps
The Centre for Contemporary Art in Tashkent (CCA Tashkent) occupies a former power station built in 1912. Established by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, it is the country's first permanent institution of its kind, dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions, research and education.
For those interested in the city's cultural scene, visiting CCA Tashkent is one of the more distinctive things to do in Tashkent. The centre hosts exhibitions by Uzbek and international artists, film screenings, concerts, lectures and workshops. It also has a library, a gift shop and a restaurant with a small terrace. Its industrial architecture has been carefully adapted for use as a contemporary art centre by the French architectural firm Studio KO.
CCA Tashkent Highlights
Exhibition Spaces and Architecture
Originally built as a diesel power station and later used as a tram depot, the building has retained much of its industrial character. During the conversion, Studio KO introduced modern interiors and exhibition spaces while preserving its historic architectural features.
The main gallery is housed in the power station's former engine hall. Its high ceilings and open layout provide room for large sculptures and installations. Other galleries are located throughout the complex, including an underground level. Passages and staircases connect the galleries, allowing visitors to explore the historic building as they move between exhibitions.
Inside, look out for the exposed brickwork, surviving metal structures, heavy doors and the spiral staircase in the main hall. These details reveal traces of the building's industrial past and how it has been adapted for its new purpose.
A passage between the galleries houses Oraliq (Interval), a sound installation created by the centre's music curator, Sabina Inoyatova.
Exhibitions at CCA Tashkent change regularly, featuring contemporary artists from Uzbekistan and abroad. Works range from sculpture and installations to pieces incorporating sound, light and digital technology. Some are created specifically for the centre, responding to the architecture of its galleries.
Courtyard and Gift Shop
The courtyard at CCA Tashkent is enclosed by historic brick façades and contemporary architectural elements.
It features The Colour of Silence, In Search of Truth, an installation by Uzbek ceramic artist Shokhrukh Rakhimov. The work consists of seven coloured ceramic spheres and draws on the teachings of Najmuddin Kubra, a medieval Sufi thinker whose philosophy explored human spiritual development.
The centre's gift shop stocks illustrated art books, exhibition catalogues and collectable publications, including editions devoted to the Bukhara Biennial. Ceramics, vinyl records and other objects connected with cultural projects in Uzbekistan are also available.
Library and Music Collection
The CCA Tashkent library is on the third floor, reached by a staircase behind the gift shop. Admission is free, but visits must be booked separately in advance.
The library is a small, modern space with a large communal table, reading lamps and bookshelves along the walls. It is suitable for reading, research or working on a laptop, although seating is limited.
The collection includes illustrated art books, exhibition catalogues and publications on contemporary architecture, design and applied arts.
Books on Uzbekistan, Central Asia and the history of the Silk Road have a prominent place in the collection. Among the titles are the illustrated volume Silk Roads: Peoples, Cultures, Landscapes, Edward Rtveladze's The Lands of Central Asia, and two books published by Assouline: Uzbekistan: Avant-Garde Orientalists and Uzbekistan: The Road to Samarkand. The collection also includes publications from the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, among them books devoted to the scholar Abu Rayhan Beruni.
Visitors can listen to records from a small vinyl collection in a separate room. The selection includes classical, contemporary and Uzbek music, with recordings by Ludovico Einaudi, pianist Lang Lang, Botir Zakirov and Sherali Jurayev.
Among the recordings is the soundtrack to The Haunted, a film by Uzbek artist and director Saodat Ismailova. The film explores the disappearance of the Turanian tiger, which once inhabited Central Asia, and the animal’s place in the legends and cultural memory of the region.
Events and Projects at CCA Tashkent
Alongside its exhibitions, CCA Tashkent runs research and educational projects, supports contemporary artists and develops international cultural partnerships. Its public programme includes lectures, film screenings, concerts and workshops. The schedule changes regularly, so it is worth checking upcoming events before your visit.
The centre also offers artist residencies, giving artists and other creative professionals the opportunity to develop new projects, explore the local cultural context and collaborate with colleagues from Uzbekistan and abroad.
CCA Tashkent Radio
CCA Tashkent Radio is a music and sound art project run by the centre. Its online platform features DJ sets, instrumental compositions, experimental music and recordings by Uzbek and international performers.
Curated by Sabina Inoyatova, the project includes contemporary electronic genres and music connected with Central Asian traditions. Some recordings also accompany the centre's exhibitions and research projects.
History of the Centre for Contemporary Art
The building that now houses CCA Tashkent was constructed in 1912 to a design by Wilhelm Heinzelmann, the architect behind several notable buildings in pre-revolutionary Tashkent. It originally served as a diesel power station associated with the city’s tram system. Later, it was used for other purposes connected with electric transport and the municipal power network.
In 2019, the building was handed over to the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation to establish a permanent centre for contemporary art. The renovation was overseen by the Foundation’s chairperson, Gayane Umerova. The architectural design was developed by Studio KO, a French firm founded by Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty.
The centre began its cultural and educational activities before the renovation was complete. In March 2020, it launched CCA LAB, a research initiative whose projects included Tashkent Encounters. The programme brought together talks, film screenings, concerts and discussions involving Uzbek and international arts professionals. Its first Tashkent Film Encounters series focused on contemporary Central Asian cinema. During the pandemic, some events took place online.
In January 2025, art historian Sara Raza was appointed Artistic Director and Chief Curator of CCA Tashkent. She had previously worked with the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Tate Modern in London.
CCA Tashkent opened to the public on 6 September 2026. Its inaugural exhibition, Hikmah (Wisdom), explored ideas of wisdom and spirituality and their expression through art. It brought together contemporary works and traditional artistic practices, marking the start of the centre’s regular exhibition programme.
Practical Information
Admission and Booking
Admission to CCA Tashkent is free, but visitors must register through the official website. When booking, select a time slot and save the confirmation sent to your email address. If you arrive without a booking, you can register at the entrance.
Library visits must be booked separately through the library’s booking page. Reservations are free.
Current Exhibitions and Events
The latest exhibition and event schedules are published in the Programme section of the official CCA Tashkent website, along with dates, times and any additional booking requirements.
How Much Time to Allow
Allow at least an hour to explore the main exhibition spaces. A more detailed look at the exhibitions, a library visit or attendance at a lecture or film screening will take longer.
The centre may close on certain public holidays or for maintenance work, so check the official website before visiting.
How to Get There
CCA Tashkent is in central Tashkent, close to Amir Temur Square. It can be reached by taxi or public transport.
The nearest metro stations are Amir Temur Khiyoboni and Oybek. The walk takes approximately 10 minutes from Amir Temur Khiyoboni or 15 minutes from Oybek. There are also bus stops nearby.