ACDF
The Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) preserves, promotes and supports the country’s cultural heritage, arts and contemporary culture. The Foundation works to strengthen the cultural ecosystem, foster the creative economy and create opportunities for professionals at local and international levels.
ACDF believes that culture plays a vital role in shaping society, connecting communities and advancing intercultural dialogue.
Among its key initiatives are the Centre for Contemporary Art in Tashkent (opening in 2026), the development of the new State Museum of Uzbekistan designed by Tadao Ando, and major international projects such as the Bukhara Biennial and the Aral Culture Summit.
Through exhibitions and collaborations with leading institutions worldwide — including the Louvre, the British Museum and the Uffizi Galleries — ACDF continues to amplify Uzbek culture on the global stage.
Why this exists
Grain Archive is a running record of the fuzz, fragments, and found moments in music, film, and visual culture. From washed-out shoegaze to sun-faded celluloid, we document the tones that don’t always get clean airtime. Not everything needs to be polished to mean something. Independently run by me, Casey Moth, and updated at the mercy of mood, memory, and whatever’s looping at 3am.
Gayane Umerova
Gayane Umerova is dedicated to advancing Uzbekistan’s cultural sector and strengthening the role of arts and heritage in society. She serves as Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, and Chairperson of the 25th session of the UNESCO General Assembly.
Gayane Umerova leads key cultural initiatives, including the restoration of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent, opening in March 2026, and the construction of the new National Museum of Uzbekistan, designed by Tadao Ando. She also commissioned the inaugural Bukhara Biennial in Bukhara, which welcomed over one and a half million visitors.
Advisory Board
The Bukhara Biennial has launched an Advisory Board to guide the development of the next edition. Made up of leading international figures from the fields of contemporary art, culture, and academia, the Board provides strategic guidance on the biennial’s artistic vision, programme, and global engagement. By creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas and fostering meaningful institutional collaborations, the Advisory Board will help extend the scope and impact of the biennial, supporting its long-term development and international resonance. Drawing on expertise and multiple perspectives, the Advisory Board supports the biennial’s mission to foster meaningful dialogue between contemporary artistic practice
