Uzbekistan Introduces New Funding System for Culture and the Arts

The initiative aims to optimise organisational structures in the sector. Plans include reorganising cultural centres focused on promoting intangible cultural heritage, amateur arts and crafts, and transferring them to the jurisdiction of district and city khokimiyats.

From 1 July 2026, key performance indicators (KPIs) will be introduced for heads of cultural departments, with incentives or reviews of their positions based on performance results.

Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, the activities of the Republican College of Music and Arts, the Karim Zaripov Republican Variety and Circus College, as well as specialised schools of art and culture under the Ministry of Culture, will be further developed and improved.

As an experimental measure, one investment project for a cultural cluster titled Madaniyat mehmonxonasi will be implemented in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regions and the city of Tashkent.

From 1 August 2026, grants for projects in art, culture and literature will be gradually introduced.