The Saudi Visual Arts Commission has unveiled the program and participants for the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh, to be held from April 6 to 13.
The week-long celebration of Saudi Arabia’s dynamic art scene will span several cultural venues—including the JAX District and Al Mousa Center—bringing together prominent local, regional, and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, patrons, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
Held under the theme “At The Edge”, the first edition of Art Week Riyadh will explore the dynamic spirit of the capital, emphasizing its vibrant cultural landscape.
According to a statement issued by the Visual Arts Commission, Art Week Riyadh builds on the foundation of an active and evolving art community, cultivating a collaborative environment where visual arts can continue to thrive for generations. With programming designed to honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future, Art Week Riyadh will showcase the depth and breadth of the Kingdom’s artistic expression.
Headquartered in the JAX District, the flagship exhibition will feature more than 45 local, regional, and international galleries. Each will present curated works that explore the evolving cultural dialogues between Saudi Arabia, the wider MENA region, and the global contemporary art scene.
Curated around three thematic threads—Everyday Life, Landscapes, and Motifs—the exhibition highlights the intersections of tradition and innovation, local narratives and global influences, and heritage and future visions. It presents contemporary creativity as both a platform for cultural expression and a catalyst for dialogue, capturing how Saudi visual culture is simultaneously rooted in tradition and engaged with global artistic currents.
The statement added that contributions will come from some of the most distinguished galleries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
At the Al Mousa Center in central Riyadh, over 15 galleries will present specially curated solo and group exhibitions, featuring both pioneering and emerging artists from the region and beyond. Once a commercial complex, the Al Mousa Center is now a vibrant cultural destination housing around 20 art galleries.
The statement further disclosed that the JAX District will also host three exhibitions by invited collections under the title Collections in Dialogue. Presented in partnership with leading cultural institutions and private collections, these exhibitions highlight the vital role of patronage and collecting in shaping and preserving visual culture, offering both historical insight and contemporary significance.
Art Week Riyadh will also feature a series of high-profile talks and engaging workshops, addressing current themes and questions impacting the visual arts in Riyadh, throughout Saudi Arabia, and around the world.
