The Visual Arts Commission announced the upcoming edition of its Art and Ideas initiative, taking place 14–15 December 2025 at Prince Mohammad bin Salman City “Misk City”.
After the success of its Paris and Seoul iterations, Art and Ideas initiative launches a new edition in Riyadh to bookend the year with an exciting new program. This annual initiative takes its new mission line as a launchpad to present ideas that will shape the visual arts' future, SPA reported.
According to a press release issued by the commission today, the title, "Art and Ideas: in Action," emphasizes the relationship between theory and practice, intention and execution. Each session gathers distinguished practitioners from various creative fields such as curation, media and technology to present perspectives that broaden audience’s understanding of the arts landscape and highlight the ideas that are shaping our present moment. Framing the visual arts as a record of the times in which they are conceived and presented, "Art and Ideas: in Action" stresses the Visual Arts Commission's commitment to supporting an ever-evolving art landscape.
CEO of the Visual Arts Commission Dina Amin said that “the initiative launched this year as a cross-city dialogue, traveling between Seoul and Paris. Today, it returns to its home—Riyadh under the theme ‘Art and Ideas: In Action.’ Riyadh now stands as a global platform for cultural exchange, collective exploration, and the building of lasting bridges between artistic communities, aligned with the commission’s vision to foster dialogue and to establish a thriving and sustainable artistic ecosystem.”
The release added that the two-day program features four panel discussions and two keynote presentations, hosting distinguished speakers from Saudi Arabia and around the world. These sessions explore the intersections of visual arts with technology, learning, gaming, and contemporary thought, in addition to discussions on building a future-ready art ecosystem and fostering community-driven initiatives.
Driven by the Kingdom’s ambition to create a profound and lasting movement in the fields of arts and culture, the initiative dedicates its efforts to supporting diversity, encouraging experimentation, and strengthening global connectivity. It continues to expand its role by creating spaces that bring together artists, curators, innovators, and cultural thinkers, enabling the exchange of knowledge and perspectives and fostering creative dialogue. Through this convergence of practitioners and experts, the initiative sheds light on current issues and lived experiences that shape the contemporary art landscape and contribute to defining the legacy of Saudi visual art in an ever-changing world.
This edition of Art and Ideas is held in Misk City, which is a destination that fosters arts and innovation within a broader cultural and knowledge-driven ecosystem. Its innovative spaces attract artists and creators, offering platforms for dialogue and artistic exploration. Its presence in this context reflects a vision that places people and creativity at the heart of urban development, aligning with national efforts to support distinctive initiatives such as Zawaya and Afkar.
