AMA Foundation for Culture and Education is a public foundation established to support educational, research, and exhibition activities in the field of contemporary art, as well as cultural practitioners. Based in Western Kazakhstan, we collaborate with both Kazakhstani and international representatives of the creative industries and communities. We seek to become a platform for dialogue, creation, and innovation, contributing to the development of the contemporary culture in Kazakhstan. The foundation was established by Assel Akhmetzhanova, Malika Urazgaliyeva, and Assel Mukasheva.
About us
Artist Residency
The YEMAA Artist Residence (YAR) was founded in 2022 in Atyrau. In 2025, it was renamed to Caspian Artist Residence (CAR). From the beginning, the residency has aimed to support emerging artists by providing opportunities for informal education that would strengthen and enrich their artistic practice through methodological and theoretical development. In addition, the residency's specific objectives include supporting research and educational projects, primarily in West Kazakhstan, aimed at the development of local communities and youth.
The open call attracts hundreds of young local artists, with a short-list and finalists are selected by a jury of experienced representatives from the academia and the art scene. Each year, the residency focuses on a specific topic and concludes with a public exhibition of works created by the participants. Over the years, the programme has brought together practitioners from different fields, fostering the creation of new communities and projects. This process has contributed to the decentralization of contemporary cultural discourse in Kazakhstan and strengthened local initiatives.
The program of each residency consists of two parts: theoretical and practical. By the end of the program residents create their final works, which are later presented in group exhibitions that are open to everyone.
Apart from that, each residency is accompanied by a public program featuring open lectures and workshops.
The open call attracts hundreds of young local artists, with a short-list and finalists are selected by a jury of experienced representatives from the academia and the art scene. Each year, the residency focuses on a specific topic and concludes with a public exhibition of works created by the participants. Over the years, the programme has brought together practitioners from different fields, fostering the creation of new communities and projects. This process has contributed to the decentralization of contemporary cultural discourse in Kazakhstan and strengthened local initiatives.
The program of each residency consists of two parts: theoretical and practical. By the end of the program residents create their final works, which are later presented in group exhibitions that are open to everyone.
Apart from that, each residency is accompanied by a public program featuring open lectures and workshops.
First residency, “Frontier. Atyrau Chronicles”, took place from August 1 to 31, 2022
Second residency, “The Fifth Element”, took place from July 28 to August 28, 2023
The theme of the third residency was “Dive into Data: Deep Waters”
Fourth residency hosted the Earthlings Art Guild from August 13 to September 20, 2025, in two formats: offline in Atyrau and online
In 2024, the Foundation launched a pilot edition of a school for young curators working in contemporary culture
Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Digital waves of Caspian sea
Publications
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