Art Week Riyadh Highlights Creative Transformation of Saudi Art Scene

Riyadh, April 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Art Week Riyadh, organized by the Visual Arts Commission in the capital’s JAX District, is underway with robust local and international participation, spotlighting the Kingdom’s accelerating cultural transformation and rising global presence in the visual arts sector.

The event brings together a wide range of artists, curators, and institutions to explore contemporary artistic visions, offering a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and the exchange of creative practices. Art Week Riyadh reflects the rapid evolution of the Saudi art scene, showcasing work that bridges tradition with modernity and engages with global artistic conversations.

Vittoria Matarrese, Director and Art Curator of Art Week Riyadh, described the event as a defining moment in the Saudi cultural landscape. “Riyadh is undergoing a major shift. It stands between the desert and urbanization, between heritage and renewal,” she said. “The title At the Edge reflects this transformation, and the exhibition captures that balance through diverse perspectives and voices.”

The public cultural program, curated by Shumon Basar under the theme How to Create an Art World: Lessons in Value, invites participants to consider the multi-dimensional value of art—economic, symbolic, and social.

“Our aim is to go beyond showcasing art,” Basar stated. “We want to raise fundamental questions about how art operates as a tool for understanding social and cultural change.”

Art Week Riyadh further positions the city as a growing cultural hub in the region, as Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its creative economy under Vision 2030, with initiatives that foster artistic innovation, build institutional partnerships, and promote cultural engagement on a global scale.