Diriyah Art Futures Launches Emerging New Media Artists Program

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), Saudi Arabia’s first center dedicated to new media and digital arts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has announced the 12 successful applicants for its inaugural Emerging New Media Artists Program, set to launch later this year. The announcement, made from Riyadh, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering creativity at the intersection of art, science, and technology, and positions Diriyah as a burgeoning global hub for digital arts.

Context and Background

Diriyah Art Futures was established through an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Diriyah Company, as part of a broader partnership aimed at facilitating creativity across art, technology, and academia. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, the center seeks to establish Riyadh as a global capital of new media art and empower the next generation of creative pioneers.

The Emerging New Media Artists Program, designed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy-Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France, is a fully funded, one-year program that offers participants access to cutting-edge professional equipment and facilities, a production budget, learning experiences with international guest specialists, and personal mentorships from prominent international digital artists. The program is a key component of DAF’s mission to pioneer new horizons for creative practice in diverse fields where art intersects with science and technology.

Key Details

The inaugural group of 12 emerging artists represents a diverse array of talents from Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region, as well as international participants. The selected artists are:

Salma Aly (Egypt), specializing in interactive art.
Samia Dzaïr (Algeria-France), a two-dimensional (2D) and stop-motion animator.
Aya Abu Ghazaleh (Jordan), a visual artist and art therapist.
Dhia Dhibi (Tunisia), a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and researcher.
Khaled Makshoush (Saudi Arabia), who specializes in pixel art.
William Brooks (Wales), an artist exploring sound art through physical objects.
Haonan He (China), who merges cartography, instrument making, and digital tech.
Turki Al-Qahtani (Saudi Arabia), a media artist and filmmaker reflecting Arab motifs.
Youssef El Idrissi (Morocco), a multidisciplinary artist, cultural engineer, and researcher.
Kyle Donald Marais (South Africa), an extended-reality (XR) developer and creative technologist.
Mohamed Al Mubarak (Bahrain), a documentary filmmaker and video artist.
Almuqawil Meshal (Saudi Arabia), an independent artist and curator.

This diverse cohort highlights DAF’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, international artistic community while showcasing the talents of active artists in the region. The program provides a platform for these artists to leave their impactful mark on art, science, and technology.

Implications and Impact

The launch of the Emerging New Media Artists Program signifies Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global digital arts scene. By attracting talent from across the MENA region and beyond, DAF is not only enriching the Saudi artistic landscape but also positioning the Kingdom as a destination for cultural exchange and innovation. The program aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 by promoting cultural development, fostering international collaborations, and supporting the growth of a creative economy.

Moreover, DAF’s focus on new media art—where technology and creativity converge—reflects broader trends in the global art world, where digital and interactive practices are increasingly at the forefront. The center’s state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship opportunities will enable these emerging artists to develop their skills and contribute to the evolution of contemporary art.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Emerging New Media Artists Program is a clear manifestation of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, empower youth, and enhance the Kingdom’s global standing. By investing in arts and culture, Saudi Arabia is not only preserving its rich heritage but also building a dynamic, forward-looking society. Diriyah Art Futures, with its commitment to innovation and education, is poised to become a beacon for new media art in the region and beyond, contributing to the Kingdom’s transformation into a global hub for creativity and technology.

20 Questions

Q1. What is Diriyah Art Futures (DAF)?

A1. Diriyah Art Futures is a pioneering new media arts center in Saudi Arabia, established through an initiative by the Ministry of Culture. It is the first center dedicated to new media and digital arts in the MENA region.

Q2. Where is Diriyah Art Futures located?

A2. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Q3. What is the Emerging New Media Artists Program?

A3. It is a fully funded, one-year program launched by DAF that offers emerging artists access to professional equipment, a production budget, mentorship, and learning experiences with international specialists.

Q4. How many applicants were selected for the inaugural program?

A4. Twelve successful applicants were selected from a diverse pool of talents.

Q5. Which countries are represented in the inaugural cohort?

A5. The cohort includes artists from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, Wales, China, and South Africa.

Q6. Who are the Saudi artists selected for the program?

A6. The Saudi artists are Khaled Makshoush, Turki Al-Qahtani, and Almuqawil Meshal.

Q7. What is the duration of the program?

A7. The program runs for one year, starting later this year.

Q8. What does the program offer to participants?

A8. Participants receive access to cutting-edge equipment, a production budget, mentorship from international digital artists, and learning experiences with guest specialists.

Q9. Who is the program designed in collaboration with?

A9. It is designed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy-Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France.

Q10. What is the broader partnership behind DAF?

A10. DAF is part of a wider partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Diriyah Company to facilitate creativity across art, technology, and academia.

Q11. What are the goals of DAF?

A11. DAF aims to establish Riyadh as a global capital of new media art, empower creative pioneers, and enrich the Saudi artistic scene.

Q12. What artistic disciplines are represented in the cohort?

A12. Disciplines include interactive art, animation, visual art, pixel art, sound art, extended reality, filmmaking, and more.

Q13. How does DAF contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?

A13. DAF supports Vision 2030 by promoting cultural development, empowering youth, fostering international collaboration, and diversifying the economy through the creative sector.

Q14. What facilities does DAF provide?

A14. DAF offers state-of-the-art professional equipment and facilities for new media art production and research.

Q15. Will there be opportunities for the public to engage with DAF?

A15. Yes, DAF offers public events, educational programs, and residency programs for artists and researchers.

Q16. What is the significance of DAF’s location in Diriyah?

A16. Diriyah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in history and culture, making it an inspiring backdrop for a center focused on innovation and digital arts.

Q17. How does DAF support artists from the MENA region?

A17. DAF highlights the talents of active artists in the region, providing them with resources, mentorship, and a platform to showcase their work globally.

Q18. What is the role of Le Fresnoy in the program?

A18. Le Fresnoy-Studio National des Arts Contemporains collaborates in designing the program, bringing its expertise in contemporary arts education.

Q19. What impact will DAF have on the global art scene?

A19. DAF positions Saudi Arabia as a hub for new media art, fostering cross-cultural exchange and contributing to the evolution of digital and interactive art worldwide.

Q20. How can emerging artists apply for future programs?

A20. Information about future opportunities will be announced through official DAF and Ministry of Culture channels; artists are encouraged to follow these sources.

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