Abu Dhabi Art Announces Artists, curator Selected for 'Beyond Emerging Artists' Program

Co-Founder of GALLERIA CONTINUA Lorenzo Fiaschi. WAM
Co-Founder of GALLERIA CONTINUA Lorenzo Fiaschi. WAM
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Abu Dhabi Art Announces Artists, curator Selected for 'Beyond Emerging Artists' Program

Co-Founder of GALLERIA CONTINUA Lorenzo Fiaschi. WAM
Co-Founder of GALLERIA CONTINUA Lorenzo Fiaschi. WAM

Abu Dhabi Art has announced details around its Beyond: Emerging Artists program, which commissions new work by up-and-coming UAE-based artists each year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Beyond: Emerging Artists 2024 will be curated by Lorenzo Fiaschi, Co-Founder of GALLERIA CONTINUA, who has selected the artists Fatma Al Ali, Dina Nazmi Khorchid and Simrin Mehra Agarwal to produce commissioned works to be exhibited at Abu Dhabi Art this year, WAM said.

The works will be on exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat on November 20-24, after which the exhibition will travel internationally to a new location.

"As we embark on this new journey with Abu Dhabi Art's Beyond Emerging Artists program, we are excited to contribute to the region’s vibrant contemporary art scene,” said Fiaschi.

“Celebrating 18 years of collaboration with Abu Dhabi Art, GALLERIA CONTINUA is eager to witness and support the dynamic evolution of the art world. We are committed to embracing diversity, which enriches our collective artistic experience. We look forward to guiding the selected artists—Dina Nazmi Khorchid, Simrin Mehra Agarwal, and Fatma Al Ali—and helping them develop exceptional projects of international caliber that showcase the creativity and potential of today’s artistic landscape,” he added.

The three selected artists were chosen from over 100 proposals reviewed by the Abu Dhabi Art organizing committee and GALLERIA CONTINUA, and in consultation with Friends of Abu Dhabi Art, a group of individuals who are actively committed to supporting art and culture in the emirate and who support the Beyond Emerging Artists program each year, WAM said.

Abu Dhabi Art Director Dyala Nusseibeh said: “During the selection process we were struck by how analytical and thoughtful each of the chosen proposals were, across diverse practices, unpicking issues that ranged from conflict and war to our relationship with the environment and the impact of colonialism on indigenous plant life in the Gulf. Together the commissioned artists navigate utopian or dystopian imagined landscapes, in often playful, often piercing ways, creating the space for new histories of the region to emerge.”



Prince of Wales Explores AlUla Arts Festival, Engages with Local Artists

The prince met with a group of talented young men and women from AlUla active in various artistic and cultural fields - SPA
The prince met with a group of talented young men and women from AlUla active in various artistic and cultural fields - SPA
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Prince of Wales Explores AlUla Arts Festival, Engages with Local Artists

The prince met with a group of talented young men and women from AlUla active in various artistic and cultural fields - SPA
The prince met with a group of talented young men and women from AlUla active in various artistic and cultural fields - SPA

AlUla Arts Festival captured the interest of the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Prince William during his recent visit to AlUla, SPA reported.

He viewed a selection of standout works by Saudi and international artists, ranging from contemporary installations to immersive open-air experiences inspired by AlUla’s landscapes and rich heritage.

He was also briefed on the festival’s creative programs, which annually transform AlUla into a dynamic platform for art and innovation, attracting artists and visitors from around the world.

During the visit, the prince met with a group of talented young men and women from AlUla active in various artistic and cultural fields.

He listened to their experiences and contributions to the governorate's cultural development, supported by ongoing efforts to strengthen the creative sector and expand its local and international presence.


Saudi Cinema Expands International Footprint at Berlin Festival

Saudi Cinema Expands International Footprint at Berlin Festival
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Saudi Cinema Expands International Footprint at Berlin Festival

Saudi Cinema Expands International Footprint at Berlin Festival

The Film Commission took part in the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, held from February 12 to 22, to showcase its key achievements in advancing the Saudi film sector and highlighting a selection of films that demonstrate the talent of Saudi filmmakers and the Kingdom’s expanding production infrastructure.

It presented the Kingdom’s diverse filming locations and spotlighted major milestones, including Norah, the first Saudi film selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, SPA reported.

The commission signed several cooperation agreements with leading international film institutions, including the French National Center of Cinema. It also launched artistic initiatives in Berlin in collaboration with global partners and cinemas, demonstrating the Kingdom’s expanding cultural and creative network.

CEO of the commission Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: "Saudi cinema goes beyond filmmaking to building cultural bridges and sharing authentic stories with global audiences."

He noted that strengthening strategic partnerships and investing in local talent are central to positioning the Kingdom as a hub for creative industries, adding that continued participation in international festivals broadens exposure to the richness and diversity of Saudi culture.


Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture
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Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport have announced the year 2029 as the official Saudi-UK Year of Culture, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. The announcement follows an official visit by Britain’s Prince William to Saudi Arabia this week.

For nearly a century, formal relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK and Northern Ireland have evolved into a multifaceted international relationship that has expanded across culture, education, and innovation, reflecting shared values and a mutual commitment to long-term cooperation.

In recent years, cultural exchange has emerged as a cornerstone of Saudi-British relations, driven by joint initiatives in heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, architecture, and higher education.

This ongoing expansion of cultural exchange lays the foundation for the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029, a year-long program celebrating creative dialogue and the shared heritage of Saudi Arabia and the UK, while deepening cultural ties for generations to come. It will also be a great opportunity for young people in both countries to connect in new ways.

Supported by Saudi Vision 2030 and the United Kingdom’s continued promotion of cultural innovation and creativity, the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029 will be an important milestone for both countries.