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, founded by businessman and philanthropist Nurlan Smagulov, DKnews.kz reports.
This recognition is a major milestone for Kazakhstan, as the Almaty Museum of Arts will be the country’s first institution to meet international museum standards and host world-class exhibitions.
Almaty Museum of Arts: A New Hub for Contemporary Art in Kazakhstan
The museum will feature an outstanding collection of works by both Kazakhstani and international artists. Some of the key names represented include:
Kazakhstani Artists:
- Aisha Galimbaeva – the first Kazakhstani female artist to receive the title of People’s Artist of the Kazakh SSR.
- Salikhitdin Aitbaev – a pioneer of Kazakh avant-garde art.
- Abdrashit Sydykhanov – an artist exploring Kazakhstan’s national identity through his works.
- Rustam Khalfin – a foundational figure in Central Asian contemporary art.
- Yerbossyn Meldibekov – known for his conceptual projects addressing post-Soviet identity.
International Artists:
- Richard Serra – renowned American sculptor famous for his monumental steel structures.
- Anselm Kiefer – German artist whose work delves into historical memory and philosophy.
- Bill Viola – a pioneer of video art, creating large-scale multimedia installations.
- Alexander Calder – the American sculptor who revolutionized kinetic sculpture.
With a constantly expanding collection, the Almaty Museum of Arts is set to attract both local art lovers and international audiences.
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.
The museum’s engineering solutions were developed by Buro Happold, the British consulting firm behind:
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- The British Museum in London
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
With its cutting-edge design and infrastructure, the museum is set to become a major cultural attraction for Almaty and beyond.
The World’s Most Anticipated Museum Openings of 2025
In addition to Almaty Museum of Arts, Architectural Digest has highlighted 10 other major museum openings around the world:
France:
- Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain (Paris) – relocation of the iconic contemporary art foundation to a larger venue.
- Palais de la Découverte (Paris) – a reinvented science museum blending art and technology.
Netherlands:
- FENIX (Rotterdam) – a museum dedicated to migration and cultural diversity.
USA:
- Studio Museum in Harlem (New York) – a major new institution for African American art.
- New Museum (New York) – expansion of one of the world’s leading contemporary art museums.
- Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Los Angeles) – George Lucas’s ambitious project exploring storytelling in visual arts.
- DATALAND (Los Angeles) – a museum focused on digital art and artificial intelligence.
UAE:
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – a new landmark for contemporary art in the Middle East.
- Zayed National Museum (Abu Dhabi) – a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the UAE.
Japan:
- Naoshima New Museum of Art – a new art space on the island of Naoshima, famous for its museums designed by Tadao Ando.
Why This Matters for Kazakhstan
Being included in Architectural Digest’s list alongside some of the world’s most prestigious cultural projects is a historic moment for Kazakhstan.
🔹 It signals global recognition, positioning Kazakhstan as a new contemporary art hub in Central Asia.
🔹 The museum will boost cultural tourism, drawing international exhibitions and visitors to Almaty.
🔹 Almaty Museum of Arts will provide a global platform for Kazakhstani artists, giving them unprecedented exposure.
Scheduled to open in 2025, the museum is set to become a major force in the international art world.
The Almaty Museum of Arts is not just another museum – it represents a bold step forward for Kazakhstan’s cultural scene. With its cutting-edge design, world-class collection, and adherence to the highest museum standards, it is poised to become one of Central Asia’s premier art destinations.
Its inclusion in Architectural Digest’s list alongside the likes of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and New Museum New York cements its global importance.
Now, the world eagerly awaits its grand opening – to witness how the Almaty Museum of Arts will transform the cultural landscape of Kazakhstan and beyond.
