In Riyadh, Art Everywhere and for Everyone

The entire Gulf region, and especially Saudi Arabia, is currently experiencing major social and economic transformations. These countries, whose economy once relied solely on oil production, are rapidly opening up to new technologies, AI, global sporting events, and most importantly, art and culture.
From Jax, the cultural district of Riyadh, to the AlUla Oasis, Saudi Arabia—the largest country in the Middle East—is investing huge sums to promote art and culture. 

For the Saudi government, in a society undergoing profound changes, art helps preserve the country’s cultural heritage, transmit traditions and ancestral know-how, while opening the door to cutting-edge artistic projects.
Among these ambitious projects, Riyadh Art holds a special place. Launched in 2019 by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, it is part of Vision 2030, the grand development plan of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The project aims to beautify Riyadh, enrich its cultural landscape, and make artworks accessible to all, by turning the city into an open-air art gallery.

Since its launch, Riyadh Art has showcased more than 500 artworks created by more than 500 local and international artists. It organized as well more than 6,000 events, and engaged more than 6 million visitors.
Ultimately, the project seeks to install over 1,000 iconic works by world-renowned artists throughout the city’s public spaces: residential neighborhoods, parks, bus and metro stations, intersections, bridges, city entrances, touristic sites...etc.

To achieve this goal, Riyadh Art encompasses a multitude of projects that deserve attention.

Just to cite a few, for example Urban Art Lab installs art galleries in public squares to exhibit works by well-known artists and foster dialogue between artists and residents.  Jewels of Riyadh, Art on the Move, and Art in Transit advocate installing award-winning artworks near tourist attractions, major intersections, and bus and metro stops. Among well-known artists artworks already installed in the city, “Janey Waney” by American Alexander Calder, “Love” by artist Robert Indiana, and “When the Moon Is Full” by Saudi artist Zaman Jassim.

On the other hand, Riyadh Icon encourages artists to create an emblematic monument of Riyadh, akin to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Statue of Liberty in New York, or Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro.
The Joyous Gardens commissions famous artists to create playgrounds in neighborhood squares, while Welcoming Gateways installs impressive gates at the city’s entrances. Garden City places artworks in a central city garden, while Urban Flow and Hidden River projects promote artistic lighting on viaducts and bridges.

The Saudi government also plans annual cultural events such as the Noor Festival, an interactive light art festival, and the Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium, which invites artists from around the world to create large-scale sculptures in an open-air workshop.

Art Week Riyadh, supported by the Saudi Visual Arts Commission, brings together over 50 local and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, and art lovers worldwide.
This flourishing of artistic projects helps the Saudi state embellish the city, diversify the economy, attract new investments, and gradually transform Riyadh into a premier destination for art enthusiasts worldwide.