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Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art

Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art
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Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art

Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art

Diriyah Company has awarded a $490 million construction contract for the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), in Diriyah.

The contract has been awarded to a joint venture between Hassan Allam Construction Saudi L.L.C., and Albawani Company Ltd., reflecting Diriyah Company’s ambition to develop a major cultural destination that attracts visitors and supports long-term growth.

SAMoCA is a flagship project by the Museums Commission. It aims to document, research, exhibit, and champion Saudi modern and contemporary art practices. The museum will serve as a premier center of artistic exploration, deepening understanding and appreciation of Saudi modern and contemporary art, while supporting Saudi artists across generations to imagine and shape the Kingdom’s creative possibilities, SPA reported.

The museum, designed by Godwin Austen Johnson, one of the Gulf’s most established UK-based firms, with multidisciplinary support from Rafaat Miller Consulting, has a gross floor area of 45,252 sqm and a total built-up area of 77,428 sqm. Notably, SAMoCA has recently achieved Mostadam Gold sustainability certification at both the design and construction stages.

The new museum at Diriyah will serve as the flagship home of SAMoCA, while SAMOCA at JAX Center continues to operate as a dynamic exhibition space in Riyadh’s creative district.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Diriyah Company Jerry Inzerillo said: “The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art will provide Saudi and international artists with a truly world-class platform – one that invites global voices to engage with the Kingdom as it is today.

This iconic asset will further elevate Diriyah’s reputation as the Kingdom’s capital of culture – and underscores our unwavering commitment to developing a vibrant city that serves our community, and the nation at large.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Museums Commission Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Hammad added: “The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art will be the epicenter of Saudi modern and contemporary art. Set against the historic legacy of Diriyah, it is designed to document and champion generations of Saudi artists, from pioneers to emerging voices, while inviting international dialogue into that story. We are committed to ensuring this dynamic platform remains accessible and inspiring for all.”

Diriyah, the $63.2 billion integrated urban development, has now awarded over $29 billion in construction contracts. Once complete, it will contribute approximately $18.6 billion directly to the Kingdom’s GDP, create more than 180,000 jobs, will be home to an estimated 100,000 people and welcome 50 million annual visits.

It will also include museums, shopping districts, a university, the Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah Arena, a variety of food and beverage outlets, and nearly 40 world-class resorts and hotels spanning its two main masterplans.

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Historic Jeddah Museum Highlights Rare Coral Prayer Beads of the Red Sea

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
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Historic Jeddah Museum Highlights Rare Coral Prayer Beads of the Red Sea

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA

Yusr prayer beads shine at the Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah as one of the top handicraft pieces, combining spiritual depth and aesthetic richness, reflecting the extension of local maritime heritage and its creative transformations.

These beads are traditionally made from “yusr,” a rare type of black coral associated with Red Sea crafts, distinguished by its dark color and polished luster. Some pieces are inlaid with silver or amber, demonstrating the precision of craftsmanship and the continuity of artisanal skill across generations, SPA reported.

These handicrafts draw the attention of visitors in the museum’s halls with their fine details as artistic works inspired by elements of the marine environment and reimagined in contemporary creative forms.

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts, historically associated with Hajj and Umrah journeys, serving as tokens of affection carried by visitors to their families and friends.

The Red Sea Museum continues to offer an integrated cultural experience through its exhibits that showcase the richness of the Kingdom’s maritime heritage and contribute to promoting cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange.

This is part of ongoing efforts to revive Historic Jeddah and reinforce its status as a global cultural destination, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, reflecting a national commitment to preserving heritage and enriching the cultural landscape.

Culture

Red Sea Museum Hosts Contemporary Art Exhibition to Showcase Marine Biodiversity

The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA
The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA
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Red Sea Museum Hosts Contemporary Art Exhibition to Showcase Marine Biodiversity

The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA
The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA

The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah is hosting a contemporary artistic exhibition that explores the Red Sea’s marine richness by connecting its geological origins, dating back to the Eocene epoch, with natural history and artistic expression.

Through a series of sculptures and installations, the exhibition showcases the region's vast biodiversity, from microorganisms to large mammals, SPA reported.

The works emphasize the Red Sea’s resilient coral reefs, thriving in warm, high-salinity waters, while delivering powerful environmental messages on the urgency of reef protection and ecological sustainability.

The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures.

These pieces complement the museum’s permanent collection of over 1,000 artifacts, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its cultural and environmental heritage through modern, immersive displays.

Culture

Saudi Pavilion Highlights Cultural Exchange at Sarajevo Book Fair

The fair is held under the theme "Book Path" and features 200 exhibitors. SPA
The fair is held under the theme "Book Path" and features 200 exhibitors. SPA
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Saudi Pavilion Highlights Cultural Exchange at Sarajevo Book Fair

The fair is held under the theme "Book Path" and features 200 exhibitors. SPA
The fair is held under the theme "Book Path" and features 200 exhibitors. SPA

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the King Fahd Cultural Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is participating in Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the 37th Sarajevo International Book Fair held from April 22 to 27 at the Skenderija Center.

The fair is held under the theme "Book Path" and features 200 exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world presenting their publications across an exhibition area of more than 10,000 square meters.

The pavilion, inaugurated in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Anas Al-Wusaidi, showcases the center’s cultural programs, publications, and activities.

It includes a documentary highlighting the Kingdom’s civilizational progress and the achievements of Saudi Vision 2030, as well as films introducing Saudi cities and tourist landmarks.

The pavilion also features educational and training programs, a Saudi culture corner, a workshop on Saudi coffee preparation, an Arabic calligraphy corner, and a children’s area.

The ministry’s participation in the fair reflects Saudi Arabia’s leading role in serving Islam and Muslims inside and outside the Kingdom, its message of moderation and tolerance, and its commitment to strengthening cultural exchange.