The Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA) opened on September 12 in Kazakhstan's largest city, becoming the country's first private museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded by auto and real estate tycoon Nurlan Smagulov, the museum houses his collection of over 700 artworks by Kazakh, Central Asian, and international artists. Led by artistic director Meruyert Kaliyeva and chief curator Inga Lāce, the museum's opening features a retrospective of Almaty-born artist Almagul Menlibayeva and a group show titled "Qonaqtar" that explores Kazakh art history and hospitality.
The opening matters because ALMA provides a dedicated platform for Central Asian artists who have been historically underrepresented in the global art world. The museum aims to foster cultural exchange between the region and international audiences, while also addressing complex themes such as post-Soviet identity, national mythology, and the legacy of Soviet-era persecution of artists. By showcasing both historical and contemporary works, ALMA positions itself as a catalyst for dialogue about Central Asian cultural heritage and its place in contemporary art discourse.