BAKU.- YARAT, the not-for-profit contemporary art organisation, is to open a new centre for contemporary art in March 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan. YARAT Contemporary Art Space will be the first permanent space for YARAT. The 2,000m2 centre, converted from a former Soviet-era naval headquarters, overlooks the Caspian Sea and will be a dedicated hub for contemporary art and art education in the region. The opening will be marked by an exhibition by Shirin Neshat including a new commission.

YARAT’s new centre for contemporary art will focus on artists from the Caucasus, Central Asia and neighbouring countries. A permanent collection will highlight artists from across this region and exhibitions will feature international artists and those whose work has a resonance with Azerbaijani culture.

Founded by Aida Mahmudova and a group of artists in 2011, YARAT is dedicated to nurturing an understanding of contemporary art in Azerbaijan and to creating a platform for Azerbaijani art internationally. Over the last three years YARAT has commissioned over 80 projects in Baku and has seen their wide audiences grow. In addition to exhibitions around the city and public art festivals, YARAT has led an education programme and collaborations with museums and institutions in Azerbaijan and neighbouring countries. In 2012, YARAT established a social enterprise YAY Gallery, where proceeds are shared between the artists and YARAT, and in 2014 YARAT opened its dedicated artists’ studios, including apartments for its artist-in-residence programme. One of YARAT’s key international projects was the exhibition Love Me, Love Me Not at the 2013 Venice Biennale.

Aida Mahmudova, YARAT’s Founder and Creative Director says “I am delighted we’ve reached this milestone in YARAT’s work. This centre will give us even more opportunity to engage with artists, audiences and institutions internationally to further develop our education programme which is at the core of our activities. For centuries Baku has been a site for exchange and creativity, our art centre will extend this within a contemporary context.”