The history of this important cultural institution began in 1934, when artist Semyon Chuykov, founding the Union of Artists of the Kyrgyz Republic, proposed creating an art collection. As a result, in January 1935, the gallery opened its doors in the renovated building of the Nikolskaya Church, where the Second Republican Exhibition took place.
Initially, the museum's fund consisted of 74 paintings of Russian classical and Soviet art, which were transferred to Chuykov in Moscow with the help of state structures. Since then, the collection has significantly expanded through purchases at exhibitions. The first director of the gallery was artist A. Ignatiev.
Since its inception, the gallery has developed two directions — Russian and Kyrgyz painting, and has been closely linked to the work of the Union of Artists. Chuykov viewed the gallery as a means of shaping audience perception and a creative environment from which the first national artists would emerge.
In November 1944, the gallery was transformed into the Kyrgyz State Museum of Fine Arts, and in 1974 it moved to a new building designed by architects D. Yryskulov, Sh. Djekshenbaev, and V. Nazarov. In 1992, the museum was named after Gapar Aitiev.
Today, the Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts is one of the main cultural centers of the country, possessing a collection of more than 18,000 exhibits that reflect the diversity of craft traditions and contemporary art. The museum regularly hosts concerts, master classes, conferences, lectures, and inclusive events. Currently, the digitization of the collections is underway, and Museum Nights attract thousands of visitors annually.
At the anniversary lecture, conducted by art historian Aina Moldokmatova, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the formation of the museum, its collection, and its significance for the cultural development of Kyrgyzstan.
Event information:
Date and time: December 13, 2025, 14:00
Duration: 1.5 hours
Lecturer: Aina Moldokmatova, art historian, leading researcher at the Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts
Location: Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts, 1st floor, cinema hall (196 Abdrakhmanov St.)
Ticket prices:
Adult — 300 soms
Student — 80 soms
School — 40 soms
Visitors who purchase lecture tickets will be able to visit all the museum's exhibitions for free on that day.
