Almaty Museum of Arts
On September 12, 2025, Almaty welcomed a new cultural landmark – the Almaty Museum of Arts, the region’s first private museum of modern art. It is set to become one of the city’s key attractions and a hub for international dialogue in contemporary culture.
Art begins at the threshold
The museum experience begins before you even step inside. Monumental works by leading contemporary artists rise in front of the building: Jaume Plensa’s twelve-meter sculpture Nades, a portrait of a girl with traditional Kazakh braids; Wind Sculpture (TP) II by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, a sail seemingly filled with wind; and Preposition by Alicja Kwade, inspired by the Torysh Valley in Mangystau.
A whole universe inside
The first floor is home to the Uly Dala and Saryarka halls. Currently on display is the first large retrospective of Almagul Menlibayeva, one of Kazakhstan’s most celebrated contemporary artists, alongside works by painters and sculptors from across Central Asia. A highlight of the collection is Richard Serra’s monumental steel labyrinth Junction. So massive that it had to be installed before the museum itself was built.
On the second floor, visitors can admire Junction from above and discover masterpieces of global contemporary art. Among them is Anselm Kiefer’s haunting installation These writings, when burned, will finally cast a little light, made of charred books and a vast scorched canvas. Another hall hosts Bill Viola’s meditative video installation Stations, where human bodies drift weightlessly in water. Nearby, visitors step into Yayoi Kusama’s immersive work Love Calls – a mirrored, darkened chamber filled with glowing polka-dot forms.
30 years in pursuit of masterpieces
The museum’s collection, numbering more than 700 works, is built on the life’s work of entrepreneur, collector, and philanthropist Nurlan Smagulov. Over the course of three decades, he assembled an impressive selection that showcases both Kazakhstan’s artistic heritage and the broader world of contemporary art. Much of the collection highlights 20th-century and modern Kazakhstani masters, but it also extends far beyond. Here visitors will encounter works by artists from across Central Asia as well as internationally renowned figures such as Australian Khadim Ali, Chinese conceptualist Xu Zhen, and British painter Jadé Fadojutimi. The collection is constantly evolving, with rotating exhibitions and new acquisitions ensuring that no two visits will be the same.
Stone, metal, and rust turned into art
The museum is not only a home for art but a work of art in itself. Designed by the British architectural bureau Chapman Taylor, the building fuses antiquity with modernity. Its façade unites three contrasting materials: Jurassic limestone bearing traces of prehistoric life, anodized aluminum, and corten steel.
How to get there?
The Almaty Museum of Arts is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest bus stops are “Almaty Theatre” (served by routes 63A and 86) and “Al-Farabi Avenue” (routes 2 and 48).
If you are arriving by car, paid parking is available along Nazarbayev Avenue near the museum.
Other attractions near the museum:
- Almaty Theatre
- Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Dostyk Plaza Shopping Mall
- Akimat of Almaty
- Independence Monument and Republic Square
Recommended tours:
All offers-1_420x650_4ab.jpg "Almaty Highlights: City Tour")
Embark on a captivating 3-hour tour where you'll explore Almaty's prominent attractions. Visit the Museum of Almaty, marvel at the exquisite Ascension Cathedral, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of trade at the Green Bazaar.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Almaty Highlights: Mountain Tour")
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking mountain landscapes just a stone's throw away from the center of Almaty! Explore the awe-inspiring wonders nestled in the Ile-Alatau Mountains and ascend to an elevation of 2260 meters above sea level.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Ultimate Almaty Day Tour")
A fantastic option for a day-long adventure that involves discovering Almaty's most fascinating landmarks. This excursion allows you to explore the best attractions of Almaty and also takes you to an elevation of 2260 meters above sea level, providing a delightful experience amidst the breathtaking mountain landscapes.
On request
Escape the busy airport environment. Book the VIP/CIP lounge at the Almaty International Airport online. This service is available exclusively to arriving passengers traveling on domestic flights.
Enjoy some extra privacy and comfort after your flight. Book the VIP lounge at the Almaty airport online. This service is available exclusively to arriving passengers traveling on international flights.