Musicians at the Sublimation Festival dressed in white robes playing large golden horns on stage, illuminated by dramatic blue and white lights.
Musicians at the Sublimation Festival ©

Amir Melikov

Our Creative Collaborations programme is designed to support artists and arts institutions based in Uzbekistan in forging creative partnerships with UK peers and to encourage new projects and innovation.

The programme aims to foster collaborative projects that address inclusive global themes – ecology, gender equality, accessibility and diversity – across various art forms such as visual arts, creative technologies, film, music, literature, theatre and dance, with the goal of sharing and enriching cultural understanding in both the UK and Uzbekistan through online or in-person exhibitions.

Learn more below about the diverse and impactful projects that have been successfully awarded our grants.

Successful projects 2024–25

Curatorial Lab by Davra Collective

The Curatorial Lab was an educational programme designed to address the critical gap in curatorial practice within Uzbekistan’s contemporary art scene, empowering the next generation of art leaders with essential knowledge and hands-on experience. Participants gained unique insights from renowned curators Valentine Umansky from Tate Modern and Filipa Ramos from Central Saint Martins, alongside regional perspectives provided by the Davra Research Collective. The Lab explored key aspects of curatorial practice – from research and concept development to exhibition design and collaborative approaches.

Event dates: 17–21 February 2025

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

Voices of the Trees by Ashot Danielyan and Art Residency Samarkand

Voice of the Trees was an ecologically focused art laboratory in Samarkand, bringing together 12 local artists to create poetry, visual art and performance centred on urban tree felling amidst worsening ecological challenges. The project raised awareness about preserving Samarkand’s trees while supporting the local art community through the introduction of UK-based artistic methodologies. Curated by Ashot Danielyan, Kristina Cranfeld and Nathan Jeffers, the project emphasised the importance of trees in addressing environmental issues such as water shortages, air pollution and rising temperatures.

Event dates: 16–31 August 2024

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

Janub Shamoli film festival by Maqaal Collective

Janub Shamoli was a festival of women’s films from the Global South held in Samarkand, featuring over 20 films from more than seven countries that challenge mainstream Western narratives through a distinctive female gaze. Organised in collaboration with local and regional collectives, the festival emphasised dialogue with discussions following each screening. The programme also included an artist talk and workshop led by London-based artist and filmmaker Niki Kohandel.

Event dates: 13–18 August 2024 (offline) and 2–8 September 2024 (online)

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

Successful projects 2023–24

Sublimation Festival

The Sublimation Festival was a transformative cultural event held in Tashkent and designed to foster creativity, inclusivity and international collaboration. The festival brought together global and local artists, bridging cultural gaps and redefining the creative landscape of Central Asia. The line-up of the first edition of the festival featured international icons such as Bjarki and Samantha Togni, as well as emerging local talent. Sublimation aims to create a unique blend of modern and traditional art forms.

Event dates: 27–29 September 2024

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

Deaf photography workshop by Oxus Culture

The project involved British deaf photographer Stephen Liffe visiting Tashkent and leading a two-day workshop for 13 deaf and hard-of-hearing youth photographers. He shared creative insights, work experiences and adaptation strategies, while participants engaged in practical exercises and discussions.

Event dates: 2–3 May 2024

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

NOMSIZ film festival by 139 Documentary Centre

The festival united diverse filmmakers and initiatives across Central Asia to foster regional unity and dialogue while showcasing independent, experimental cinema that tackles critical social and political issues. The main programme featured 70 films by 56 creators from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, India and the UK. A special programme highlighted Onyeka Igwe – a Nigerian-born, London-based artist known for her innovative use of archival materials – and Uzbek documentary filmmaker Shukhrat Makhmudov; in her workshop, Igwe demonstrated how deconstructing historical materials can spark new visual narratives and inspire critical dialogue on personal and collective histories.

Event dates: 20–28 April 2024

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

Zine-making workshop by Invisible Island Studio

The event was a two-day workshop with artist, photographer and zine-maker Andreas Lazslo Konrat. It was held at Invisible Island Studio in the Uchtepa district of Tashkent – a venue that aims to diversify cultural spaces and promote sustainable development in the city’s peripheral areas. Out of 30 applications, 15 participants were selected.

During the workshop, the artist shared his experience in creating zines, discussing the use of various materials for production and design and exploring different layout techniques.

Event dates: 12 and 14 February 2024

Event photos are available on our Flickr account.

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