Tashkent's 1912 Power Station Reborn as Uzbekistan's Bold New Art Hub
Uzbekistan's Center for Contemporary Art (CCA) is set to open in Tashkent in March 2026. The new hub for art and culture will transform the city's first diesel power station, built in 1912, into a dynamic creative space. Once a source of mechanical energy, the site will now host exhibitions, festivals, and youth programmes under the direction of Sara Raza, a London-born curator based in New York. The CCA's building, originally a 1912 diesel power station, has been reimagined by French architects Studio KO. They retained its industrial exterior while redesigning the interior to create flexible spaces for exhibitions and events.
The centre's first exhibition, *Hikmah*, will showcase the work of Saudi artist Muhannad Shono. Shono previously participated in an artist residency at the CCA in May 2023, though details on how this influenced his current project remain unclear. The exhibition marks the beginning of a broader programme that includes two major annual events: the Navruz Gala and the Tashkent Public Art Festival. Beyond exhibitions, the CCA will launch Clubistan, a youth-led initiative for 16- to 21-year-olds, and CCA Radio, a bi-weekly broadcast. Gayane Umerova, chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, has publicly supported Raza's vision for the centre. The shift from industrial function to cultural hub reflects a deliberate effort to activate the land in a new way.
The CCA's opening in 2026 will introduce a permanent venue for contemporary art in Tashkent. Its mix of exhibitions, festivals, and youth programmes aims to engage both local and international audiences. The repurposed power station now stands as a symbol of the city's evolving cultural landscape.
