Special attention is being paid to culture and art as part of the country's new stage of development. Systemic reforms are being carried out aimed at improving the quality and developing this sphere, as well as presenting national culture on the world stage.
Regulatory Framework and Financing
Over the past nine years, four laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan concerning culture and art, 35 decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and 98 resolutions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers have been adopted. For the first time in the independent history of Uzbekistan, the law 'On Cultural Activities and Culture Organizations' was adopted. Furthermore, April 15 has been established as the Day of Culture and Art Workers to enhance the status of employees in this industry.
According to data from the Information Service of the Ministry of Culture, if 122.8 billion soms were allocated by the state budget to the field of culture and art in 2017, the volume of financing will increase more than tenfold by 2026, reaching 1 trillion 282.4 billion soms.
Public-Private Partnership
Currently, 72 public-private partnership agreements totaling 331.5 billion soms have been signed. Among them: 10 agreements worth over 53.4 billion soms were concluded in cultural and art institutions in 2020; 7 agreements worth 36.5 billion soms in 2021; and 21 agreements worth 92.1 billion soms in 2025.
Development of National Heritage
To restore the long-standing heritage of Uzbekistan and pass on national traditions and values to the younger generation, centers for Uzbek national maqam art and the art of Bakshichilik, as well as the Bakshichilik Art Development Fund under their auspices, have been created. The Yunus Rajabiy National Institute of Uzbek Music Art has been established.
Model ensembles of maqam and bakshichilik have also been formed in the regions. To ensure the population receives high-quality cultural services using examples of national and world art, the activities of the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan, the Union of Theaters of Uzbekistan, the Directorate of International Festivals, and the State Dance Ensemble 'Bahor' have been launched.
Scientific and Educational Activities
'Dictionary of Eastern Music Terms' has been prepared for publication to further develop national maqam art. Books such as 'Fundamentals of Maqam', 'Khorezm Maqams', 'Shashmakom Bukhara', and 'Uzbek Maqams' have been published in Uzbek, Russian, and English, along with textbooks titled 'Fundamentals of Maqam' and 'Bastakor's Creativity'. Additionally, three books dedicated to the life and work of Komiljon Otaniyozov have been published.
The number of educational institutions under the ministry has increased from 333 to 382 since 2017. New higher education institutions, such as the Yunus Rajabiy National Institute of Uzbek Music Art and the Batir Zokirov National Institute of Stage Art in Tashkent, have been opened. The number of such institutions has increased from 4 to 10. The Tashkent State School of National Dance and Choreography was reorganized into the Academy of State Choreographic Art, and branches were established in Urgench and the Institute of State Art and Culture of Uzbekistan, as well as branches of the National Conservatory of Uzbekistan.
Development of Secondary Education
The number of specialized secondary educational institutions in the fields of dance, maqam, opera, and bakshichilik has grown from 23 to 29. Boarding schools specializing in maqam art have been created in the cities of Urgench, Bukhara, Fergana; in bakshichilik in the city of Termiz; in opera art in the city of Nukus; and in dance in the cities of Urgench, Karshi, and Bukhara. The number of children's music and art schools in the regions has increased from 305 to 326, and research institutions and advanced training centers—from 1 to 3.
Student coverage in the field of culture and art has increased from 80.7 thousand people in 2017 to 110,245 people in the 2025-2026 academic year, representing an increase of 29,545 people (36.6%). The average annual participation of students in republican and international competitions has increased from 1700 to 5376.
Cultural Initiatives and Support
The course 'Maqam Alphabet' has been introduced in all 326 children's music and art schools in the republic, and the course 'History of Maqam Art' in 29 specialized schools. A Musical Maqam Theater has been opened in Margilan city and a 'Maqam Museum' in Shahrisabz city in conjunction with the Center for Uzbek National Maqam Art.
The monthly salaries of directors and deputy directors of children's music and art schools have been increased by 50%, and the salaries of accompanist teachers by 25%. In 95 children's music and art schools, training in bakshichilik has begun, covering 1278 talented young people. Bakshichilik clubs have been created in 40 cultural centers, enrolling 408 enthusiasts.
The number of theaters in the republic has grown from 37 to 41 since 2017. If 3 theaters were reconstructed in 2015-2016, then between 2016 and 2023, 11 theaters underwent major repairs and modernization. In 2017, state theaters held 15 local and 7 foreign tours, while 362 local and 92 foreign tours are planned for 2025.
The number of historical works in the repertoire of theaters has increased from 35 to over 55. If theater attendance was 70% of the annual plan, the annual number of visitors approached 4 million between 2018 and 2022, reaching 96%. The number of new productions annually has increased from 110 to 179.
International Cooperation and Recognition
Academic titles have been awarded to theaters: the Karakalpak State Musical Theater received an academic title, the National Theater of Uzbekistan received a national title, and the Mukim State Musical Theater of Uzbekistan received an academic title. Between 2016 and 2023, new theaters were created, and existing ones received the necessary conditions for quality operation, including the opening of theaters in the provinces of Navoi and Namangan, as well as the reconstruction of musical drama theaters in Jizzakh and Syrdarya. Work has been carried out on the major repair and equipping of the National Children's Theater of Uzbekistan, the Karakalpak State Children's Theater, and the experimental youth studio 'Dildor.'
In the field of national opera and ballet, 'master classes' have been launched for 12 qualified creators from among the People's Artists of Uzbekistan and artists who distinguished themselves in service to Uzbekistan, aiming to develop the 'teacher-student' tradition. A renowned and talented specialist from abroad has been invited for two years as the chief conductor of the Alisher Navoi Academic Grand Theater. A tour plan for the theater for the period 2022-2026 has also been approved, which includes trips to Baku (Azerbaijan), Jeju, Busan, Kochang, and Pyongyang (Korea), Paris (France), Dortmund (Germany), and Beijing (China).
A separate plan for staging national and world operas and ballets for the period 2022-2026 has been approved, within which operas 'Alisher Navoi' and 'Masquerade Bali', as well as the ballet 'Jalaliddin Manguberdi', were staged using funds amounting to 6.6 billion soms.
Infrastructure and International Status
Republican competitions such as 'Young Vocalists', 'Young Ballet Performers', and competitions for conductors, directors, and choreographers are held annually. The Alisher Navoi Academic Grand Theater hosts the international festival 'Opera and Ballet'. Currently, 838 cultural centers operate under the Ministry of Culture, and the number of clubs in them has increased from 1258 in 2017 to 3749 in 2023. The number of model folk ensembles has increased from 375 to 576 by 2023. Cultural centers were equipped with 6780 educational and methodological manuals and 8670 musical instruments in 2023.
Between 2016 and 2025, eight intangible cultural heritage sites were included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include the traditions of Nowruz and Palov (2016), silk and adras weaving (2017), Khorezm 'Lazgi' dance (2019), Bakshichilik art (2021), miniature art (2022), 'Traditions of making and performing rubob' (2024), 'Art of making and performing kubiz', and traditional knowledge and skills for building 'Black Houses' (2025).
Since 2020, the rental cost for concerts and cultural halls conducted entirely live has been reduced by 50%. Since 2021, the practice of approving calendar plans for state events at the republican, regional, and district (city) levels has been introduced.
Cases of 'forced labor' of artists, where they were involved in celebrations of ministries and departments, have been abolished; now their involvement is possible only by contract. In the field of culture and art, the number of competitions has almost doubled from 10 to 24 by 2022, and the number of participants has increased from 38 thousand to 62 thousand.
To widely promote the country's culture and art, preserve art forms that have developed over centuries, and pass them on to future generations, a system of international events has been introduced. Festivals and forums such as the International Bakshichilik Festival, the International Maqam Art Forum, the 'Lazgi' International Dance Festival, the International Festival of Tailoring and Jewelry, and the International Crafts Festival have been created.
To ensure high-quality cultural services for the population living in remote areas, special motor vehicles have been acquired, unique in Central Asia, intended for conducting 'Cultural Caravans' events. Uzbekistan's cooperation with foreign countries in the field of culture and art has reached a new level in the last five years, enhancing the country's cultural diplomatic status. Days of Uzbek Culture have been held in 29 foreign countries, as well as Days of Uzbek Culture in about 12 foreign countries within Uzbekistan.
To promote Uzbek art worldwide, individuals contributing to the promotion of the country are granted the status of 'Ambassador of Uzbek Culture' in countries such as Korea, Qatar, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Japan, the UAE, and Turkey.
Thanks to the wide opportunities created, DM 'Uzbekconcert' provided 3901 licenses for creators, five times more than seven years ago. The tradition of holding annual 'Days of Culture' events in the regions through the 'Cultural Caravan' in remote areas of Karakalpakstan and the regions has also strengthened.
The creative groups of the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan have begun holding lecture-concerts in higher educational institutions and general education schools. Since 2024, the 'Journey with a Star' program has been launched, involving famous local and international creators in 17 locations across 14 regions, focusing on 'Street Culture and Music'. Every year, large international festivals, forums, and other cultural events in the fields of culture, art, music, and dance begin in several districts, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kukon, Zomin, Khonobod, Boysun.
