Tatler Kazakhstan has unveiled the cover of its new art issue, featuring Jamila Nurkalieva, former director of Tselinny, as its cover star. According to the former head, here is what Central Asian art needs, reports infohub.kz.
In an interview with the publication, Nurkalieva explained how contemporary art in the region has changed over the past ten years. According to her, Central Asia is seeing more museums, galleries and other cultural venues, yet professional education and research in the arts remain underdeveloped. In Kazakhstan, in particular, university programs dedicated to this industry are almost nonexistent.
"A huge number of students went to study at international universities with a commitment to return and work in the country. There was a big influx of people with international experience and an understanding of how different projects can be structured," Nurkalieva said.
After eight years at the helm of Tselinny, she plans to launch a free educational project in Almaty for artists and curators, where they can study the history of contemporary art. There are also plans to collaborate with local and foreign specialists and to create their own projects.
Another initiative is linked to Bishkek: there, Nurkalieva is involved in establishing a foundation to support contemporary art, which will have its own exhibition space.
"We very often seek external validation, existing within the effect of discovery (editor's note). We want to be 'discovered,' as if we were some hidden shiny treasure that will one day be found and sparkle. I think we need to move away from that toward a much more sustainable understanding. And on the Bishkek scene, I saw exactly that," she admitted.
Nurkalieva explained that after leaving Tselinny, she wanted to pursue new projects that would complement Central Asia's existing cultural environment. The initiatives in Almaty and Bishkek are planned for launch in 2027, while creating permanent spaces could take up to three years.
Recall that Nurkalieva's departure from the post of general director of Tselinny was announced in July 2026. Alima Kairat is currently performing her duties. Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle reported on the opening of the first permanent center for contemporary art in Tashkent and a new exhibition by Kazakh artist Askhat Akhmedyarov in Almaty.