Seoul, September 15, 2026 - Almaty Museum of Arts and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea will present an exhibition of Korean contemporary art in Almaty. On September 15, in Seoul, as part of the state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the Republic of Korea, Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA) and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) signed a partnership agreement.

From right to left: Su Jeong Kang (MMCA), Soyeon Lee (MMCA), Sung-Hee Kim (Director of MMCA), Nurlan Smagulov, Meruyert Kaliyeva.

The major joint project will be a large-scale exhibition of contemporary Korean art, which will open at ALMA in autumn 2027 to coincide with the visit of President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung to Kazakhstan.

The memorandum lays the foundation for long-term cooperation between the two museums, including the exchange of professional expertise, joint research initiatives, public and educational programmes, and exhibition projects. The exhibition will be curated by Soyeon Lee (MMCA) and Inga Lāce (ALMA).

Meruyert Kaliyeva, Artistic Director of ALMA, and Sung-Hee Kim, Director of MMCA.

The two institutions have agreed to explore the historical connections between the art scenes of Kazakhstan and South Korea, as well as contemporary artistic practices in both countries. The exhibition at ALMA will present a dialogue between contemporary art from the Republic of Korea and Central Asia, tracing the development of artistic practices from the mid-20th century to the present day. Particular attention will be given to the history and artistic practices of the Koryo-saram communities of Central Asia, whose works will provide an opportunity to explore questions of diaspora, cultural memory, and identity.

“Cooperation with MMCA, one of Asia’s most respected museum institutions, underscores the mission of Almaty Museum of Arts as a global hub connecting Central Asia with the international cultural context. The 2027 exhibition will be more than a retrospective: it will provide a unique platform for reflecting on the historical memory and contemporary artistic languages of the two countries,” said Meruyert Kaliyeva, Artistic Director of Almaty Museum of Arts.

The full exhibition programme, including the list of participating artists and accompanying educational events, will be announced in spring 2027.