Joseph Grima Appointed Programme Director of Aral School in Uzbekistan
Last week, during the Aral School Assembly held at the Savitsky Museum of Art, the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) announced that architect Joseph Grima has been appointed as the Programme Director for the Aral School, an innovative postgraduate initiative located in Nukus, Karakalpakstan. Grima takes over from Jan Boelen for the upcoming second cohort, with applications now being accepted for the 2027 session—a fully funded six-month residency commencing in January, focusing on Climate and Landscape. The inaugural cohort attracted over 130 applications for just 22 spots. All expenses are covered by ACDF, allowing for unrestricted research. The application deadline is October 25, 2026. Grima aims to position the Aral School as a replicable model for design education.
Key facts
- Joseph Grima appointed Programme Director of the Aral School by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF).
- Announcement made at the Aral School Assembly at the Savitsky Museum of Art in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, last week.
- Grima succeeds designer Jan Boelen, who led the inaugural programme.
- Applications open for the 2027 intake; fully funded six-month residency begins in January under the theme Climate and Landscape.
- First cohort received over 130 applications for 22 places, evenly split between international and regional participants.
- ACDF covers tuition, accommodation, stipends, travel and publication costs.
- Grima previously served eight years as creative director of Design Academy Eindhoven.
- Applications close on October 25, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Joseph Grima
- Jan Boelen
- Gayane Umerova
- Oktyabr Dospanov
- Bobir Klichev
- Manuel Correa
- Marina Otero Verzier
- Ali Morris
Institutions
- Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF)
- Aral School
- Savitsky Museum of Art
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- ARC Architects
- Wallpaper*
- Aral Sea International Innovation Centre
- Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation
- Center for Contemporary Arts Tashkent
- Studio KO
- Space Caviar
- Non-Extractive Architecture
- Venice Architecture Biennale
- Centre for Contemporary Art in Tashkent
- Walker Art Center
- Beyond Materialism
Locations
- Nukus
- Uzbekistan
- Karakalpakstan
- Aral Sea
- Tashkent
- Venice
- Italy
- Mizdakhan Necropolis
- North Uzbekistan
- Eindhoven
- Netherlands
- Minneapolis
- United States