Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan has announced the appointment of Sara Raza as the artistic director and chief curator of the Contemporary Art Center (CAC) in Tashkent. The center’s opening is scheduled for September this year.

Sara Raza, originally from London and currently residing in New York, is a renowned curator, writer, and educator with over 20 years of professional experience. Among her key accomplishments is curating the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Program, which covers the Middle East and North Africa. She has also curated exhibitions at prestigious institutions such as the Arab Museum of Modern Art, the Rubin Museum of Art, and the International Center of Photography.

Raza is the author of Punk Orientalism: The Art of Rebellion, a critically acclaimed book focusing on contemporary art practices in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.

In her new role, Sara Raza will be responsible for shaping the mission of the Contemporary Art Center. The focus will be on developing cultural and educational partnerships, supporting artists, and integrating the center into Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.

The center will be located in the former diesel station building, which will be transformed into a significant international cultural space after reconstruction. Its activities will promote creative exchange and provide artists with a platform for self-expression through exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. The center is set to become a key part of Uzbekistan’s cultural ecosystem, contributing to its continued development.