The Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Raza as the Artistic Director and Chief Curator of the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in Tashkent, which is set to open in September 2025.

The Centre, an ACDF initiative, aims to become a global hub for arts and culture, facilitating creative exchange and empowering artists through residencies, exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. It will also contribute significantly to Uzbekistan’s growing cultural ecosystem.

Sara Raza, a London-born, New York-based curator, writer, and educator, is renowned for her curatorial expertise and ability to bridge diverse artistic and scholarly disciplines. With over two decades of experience curating across Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, Raza has previously worked as the curator for the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative for the Middle East and North Africa. Her curatorial accomplishments include landmark exhibitions at the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Rubin Museum of Art in New York, and the International Center of Photography.

Raza is also the author of the critically acclaimed book, Punk Orientalism: The Art of Rebellion, which explores contemporary art practices related to Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East and North Africa.

As the Artistic Director and Chief Curator, Raza will play a pivotal role in shaping the Centre’s mission to foster cultural and educational partnerships, support both local and international artists, and engage deeply with Uzbekistan’s vibrant cultural heritage.