The Kasteyev Museum of Arts is the largest art museum in Kazakhstan, serving as a hub for research and education in the realm of fine arts. The museum regularly hosts exhibitions, with a particular focus on contemporary art and Kazakh artists.
The museum’s origins date back to 1935 with the founding of the Kazakh Art Gallery, which housed works by Russian, Kazakh, and international artists. At that time, it was named after the renowned Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. In 1970, the Museum of Folk Applied Arts was established in Almaty, showcasing traditional Kazakh handicrafts, including exquisite carpet pieces. By 1976, the two collections merged to form the State Museum of Arts of the Kazakh SSR, and the exhibitions moved into the building where they are currently housed.
The museum building itself has been recognized as a cultural monument since 1982 and is under state protection. In 1984, the museum was renamed after Abilkhan Kasteyev, the founder of Kazakh painting. In 2014, the museum opened a branch—the Kasteyev Memorial House Museum, located in the house where the famed artist lived from 1958 to 1973.
Exploring the entire collection of the Kasteyev Museum could easily take a week, even without breaks, as it boasts over 23,000 unique works of painting, sculpture, and applied arts. The main exhibit spans two floors, with 11 halls and 10 galleries. The displays follow a chronological layout, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the evolution of Kazakh visual art.
The museum’s core collection is divided into six main categories:
Kazakh Fine Arts: This section contains thousands of works, including paintings by Kasteyev and other Kazakh artists like N.G. Khludov, A.M. Cherkassky, S.I. Kalmykov, and B.I. Urmanche. Visitors can also explore Kazakh sculptures and graphic art, offering insights into the cultural heritage of the country.
Kazakh Decorative and Applied Arts: This collection highlights Kazakhstan’s rich craft traditions, showcasing ornate felt works, woven mats, textiles, jewelry, intricately carved wooden items, and horse gear.
Russian Art: The Russian art collection spans the 18th to 20th centuries, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Aivazovsky, Rokotov, Petrov-Vodkin, Tropinin, Shishkin, Kiprensky, Levitsky, Vereshchagin, Kustodiev, Levitan, and Borisov-Musatov.
Western European Art: The Western section includes works from Dutch, Italian, English, French, and other European artists. Alongside paintings, the gallery also features sculptures by Houdon, Coysevox, and other notable masters.
Eastern Art: This collection is a treasure trove of artworks from China, India, and Korea, encompassing paintings, graphics, porcelain vases, figurines, and sculptures.
20th Century Foreign Art: Works by Plastov, Korin, Konchalovsky, Deineka, Yablonskaya, and other 20th-century artists are displayed in this section.
Visitor Information
Explore historic Panfilov Park
Visit Almaty’s vibrant Green Bazaar
Discover scenic Ili Alatau Mountains
Cable car ride to Kok Tobe
Trek through Charyn Canyon’s canyons
Immerse in Kazakh nomadic traditions