Diriyah Art Futures Unveils First Media Arts Residency Group

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the Middle East and North Africa region’s first dedicated hub for New Media Arts, has announced the first group of artists and scholars selected for its inaugural Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency, a programme running from April to July 2025 in Riyadh. The announcement, released through official Saudi channels, marks a significant step in the Kingdom’s expanding cultural ecosystem and underscores the growing role of Saudi Arabia as a global centre for digital and experimental art. The residency brings together five artists and two scholars from the United Kingdom, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, France, and Germany, reflecting the international reach of the initiative and its alignment with the cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

According to a press release issued by Diriyah Art Futures, the residency is designed to foster experimental research and artistic production, offering participants access to state-of-the-art laboratories and studios, showcasing opportunities, a production budget, and a dedicated production team. The selected practitioners will develop projects in response to the 2025 theme, “High-Resolution Dreams of Sand,” which examines the impact of technology on both natural and constructed landscapes. The programme will culminate in a publication and a series of public engagements at DAF, giving audiences in Riyadh and beyond an opportunity to engage with pioneering artistic and research-driven explorations. The initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to nurturing creativity, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of global cultural innovation.

Context and Background

How did Saudi Arabia become a magnet for artists exploring the frontiers of technology and creativity? The answer lies in a deliberate, multi-year effort to build cultural infrastructure that rivals established global hubs. Diriyah Art Futures, developed by the Museums Commission, was established as the MENA region’s first dedicated centre for New Media Arts, with a mandate to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in digital art while amplifying the region’s influence at the intersection of art, science, and technology. The Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency is a core component of that mission, providing a platform for artists and scholars to engage critically with DAF’s unique physical and conceptual contexts, set against the backdrop of Diriyah’s historic farms and within a city undergoing profound transformation.

The residency’s inaugural cohort includes artists Dr. Stanza (United Kingdom), Harshit Agrawal (India), Arwa Alneami (Saudi Arabia), Reem Alnasser (Saudi Arabia), and Reem Alfagih (Saudi Arabia), along with scholars Mizuho Yamazaki (Japan/France) and Anett Holzheid (Germany). This mix of established and emerging voices, spanning multiple continents and disciplines, highlights the residency’s commitment to fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. The programme’s structure, which combines production support with public engagement, ensures that the work developed in Riyadh will reach international audiences and contribute to ongoing global conversations about the role of technology in shaping our understanding of land, history, and culture.

The launch of the Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency also reflects a broader trend in Saudi Arabia’s cultural strategy: the creation of specialised, world-class platforms that attract talent from around the world while nurturing local practitioners. By embedding the residency within Diriyah, a historic district that is being carefully redeveloped as a cultural and lifestyle destination, DAF is able to offer participants a unique environment that blends heritage with cutting-edge innovation. This approach not only enriches the artistic process but also reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a bridge between tradition and modernity.

Key Details of the Residency Programme

What exactly will the selected artists and scholars be working on during their time in Riyadh? According to the DAF press release, the 2025 residency season is built around the theme “High-Resolution Dreams of Sand,” which invites participants to explore the impact of technology on both natural and constructed landscapes. This theme resonates with Diriyah’s own story: a historic oasis town that is being transformed into a global cultural destination through thoughtful urban development and digital innovation. The artists and scholars will develop projects that respond to this theme, drawing on DAF’s state-of-the-art labs and studios, as well as the surrounding environment of Diriyah’s historic farms.

The residency provides a comprehensive support system, including a production budget and a dedicated production team, enabling participants to realise ambitious projects that might not be possible elsewhere. This level of support is a hallmark of DAF’s approach, which aims to remove practical barriers to experimentation and allow artists to focus on pushing the boundaries of their practice. The programme also includes showcasing opportunities, ensuring that the work created during the residency will be visible to the public and to the international art community. The culmination of the residency in a publication and a series of public engagements further underscores DAF’s commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering dialogue.

The selection of the first cohort was guided by a desire to bring together a diverse group of creative practitioners and scholars whose work engages with emerging ecologies, speculative futures, and the evolving intersections of land, history, art, and technology. The inclusion of three Saudi artists—Arwa Alneami, Reem Alnasser, and Reem Alfagih—alongside international peers demonstrates the Kingdom’s investment in homegrown talent and its ambition to create a vibrant local scene that is connected to global networks. The scholars, Mizuho Yamazaki and Anett Holzheid, will contribute research perspectives that enrich the residency’s interdisciplinary character, bridging theory and practice.

International and Regional Impact

How does a residency programme in Riyadh resonate on the global stage? By attracting artists and scholars from countries such as the United Kingdom, India, Japan, France, and Germany, Diriyah Art Futures is signalling that Saudi Arabia is not merely a participant in the global art world but an active shaper of its future. The Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency creates a platform for cross-cultural exchange, allowing participants to engage with the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape while contributing their own perspectives. This exchange is mutually beneficial: international artists gain access to unique resources and contexts, while Saudi Arabia benefits from the influx of ideas, networks, and visibility that such collaborations bring.

Regionally, the residency reinforces the MENA region’s growing influence in New Media Arts. For decades, the global art centres of Europe and North America dominated the discourse around digital and experimental art. DAF’s initiative, supported by the Museums Commission, challenges that paradigm by establishing a world-class hub in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. This shift is part of a wider trend in which Gulf countries are investing heavily in cultural infrastructure, but Saudi Arabia’s approach is distinctive in its emphasis on integrating heritage, technology, and education. The Mazra’ah residency, set against the backdrop of Diriyah’s historic farms, embodies this integration, offering a model for how contemporary art can engage with place and history.

The public engagements that will follow the residency are particularly significant for regional audiences. By opening up the artists’ research and production processes to the public, DAF is helping to cultivate a local audience for New Media Arts and to demystify the creative process. This aligns with the Kingdom’s broader goals of enhancing quality of life, promoting cultural participation, and fostering a knowledge-based society. The publication that will emerge from the residency will further extend its impact, serving as a lasting record of the ideas and works generated during this inaugural season.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why does a cultural residency matter for Saudi Arabia’s economic and strategic ambitions? The answer lies in the transformative power of the creative economy. Cultural and creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors globally, and Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to capture a significant share of this growth. By investing in platforms like Diriyah Art Futures, the Kingdom is not only enriching its cultural landscape but also creating economic opportunities in tourism, media, technology, and education. The Mazra’ah residency contributes to this by attracting international talent, generating content that can be exported, and enhancing Riyadh’s appeal as a destination for cultural tourism.

Moreover, the residency supports the development of a skilled local workforce in fields such as digital art, design, and arts management. The involvement of Saudi artists and the collaboration with international peers facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity building, which are essential for the long-term sustainability of the Kingdom’s cultural sector. The production budget and dedicated team provided by DAF also stimulate the local economy by commissioning services and materials from Saudi-based suppliers and professionals. In this way, the residency functions as a small but meaningful engine of economic activity, with ripple effects that extend beyond the art world.

Strategically, the Mazra’ah residency enhances Saudi Arabia’s soft power. By hosting artists and scholars from around the world, the Kingdom builds bridges of understanding and cooperation that transcend political and cultural differences. This people-to-people diplomacy is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to project a positive image of the Kingdom and to foster international partnerships. The residency also aligns with the Vision’s goal of transforming Saudi Arabia into a global hub for culture and creativity, complementing other major initiatives such as the Diriyah Gate project and the wider development of Riyadh as a global city.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does the Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency fit into the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030? Vision 2030 is a comprehensive plan to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, empower its citizens, and enhance its global standing. Culture is a key pillar of this plan, recognised for its ability to drive economic growth, strengthen national identity, and improve quality of life. Diriyah Art Futures, as an initiative of the Museums Commission, directly supports these objectives by creating a world-class institution for New Media Arts, nurturing local talent, and attracting international attention. The residency, with its emphasis on experimentation and cross-disciplinary research, embodies the spirit of innovation that Vision 2030 champions.

Furthermore, the residency contributes to the Vision’s goal of increasing cultural participation and enriching the lives of Saudi citizens and residents. By opening its doors to the public and sharing the outcomes of the residency, DAF ensures that the benefits of this initiative are widely felt. The inclusion of Saudi artists in the first cohort is particularly significant, as it provides role models for young Saudis and demonstrates that the Kingdom is a place where creative careers can flourish. As the residency programme grows in future years, it will continue to play a vital role in establishing Saudi Arabia as a global cultural powerhouse, fulfilling the promise of Vision 2030 and inspiring a new generation of artists and thinkers.

20 Questions

Q1. What is Diriyah Art Futures?

A1. Diriyah Art Futures is the MENA region’s first dedicated hub for New Media Arts, developed by the Museums Commission. It aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global centre for digital art and to foster innovation at the intersection of art, science, and technology.

Q2. What is the Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency?

A2. The Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency is a programme by Diriyah Art Futures that supports experimental research and artistic production. It provides artists and scholars with access to labs, studios, a production budget, and showcasing opportunities.

Q3. When does the inaugural residency take place?

A3. The first Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency runs from April to July 2025. It is based at Diriyah Art Futures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Q4. Who are the selected artists in the first group?

A4. The artists are Dr. Stanza from the United Kingdom, Harshit Agrawal from India, and Arwa Alneami, Reem Alnasser, and Reem Alfagih from Saudi Arabia.

Q5. Who are the selected scholars?

A5. The scholars are Mizuho Yamazaki, who is affiliated with Japan and France, and Anett Holzheid from Germany. They will contribute research perspectives to the residency.

Q6. What is the theme of the 2025 residency?

A6. The 2025 theme is “High-Resolution Dreams of Sand.” It explores the impact of technology on both natural and constructed landscapes, inviting artists to reflect on land, history, and innovation.

Q7. What support do participants receive?

A7. Participants receive access to state-of-the-art labs and studios, a production budget, a dedicated production team, and showcasing opportunities. This comprehensive support enables ambitious, experimental projects.

Q8. Where is Diriyah Art Futures located?

A8. Diriyah Art Futures is located in Diriyah, Riyadh. Diriyah is a historic area undergoing transformation into a major cultural and lifestyle destination, blending heritage with modernity.

Q9. What will happen at the end of the residency?

A9. The residency will culminate in a publication and a series of public engagements at Diriyah Art Futures. These will offer audiences insight into the artists’ pioneering explorations and research.

Q10. Why is this residency significant for Saudi Arabia?

A10. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for New Media Arts, supports Vision 2030 cultural goals, and fosters international cultural exchange. It also nurtures local talent and attracts global attention.

Q11. How does the residency align with Vision 2030?

A11. Vision 2030 emphasizes cultural development, economic diversification, and global engagement. The residency supports these by building a creative economy, enhancing quality of life, and promoting cross-cultural dialogue.

Q12. What makes Diriyah an ideal location for this residency?

A12. Diriyah’s historic farms and ongoing transformation provide a unique backdrop that blends tradition with innovation. This setting inspires artists to explore the intersections of land, history, art, and technology.

Q13. How many artists and scholars are in the first group?

A13. The first group comprises five artists and two scholars, totaling seven participants. They come from six countries: the United Kingdom, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, France, and Germany.

Q14. What disciplines are represented in the residency?

A14. The residency includes artists working in new media, digital art, and experimental practices, as well as scholars in related fields. It encourages interdisciplinary research and production.

Q15. Will the public be able to see the works created?

A15. Yes. The residency includes public engagements at Diriyah Art Futures, where audiences can experience the outcomes. A publication will also document the projects and research.

Q16. How does this residency benefit international artists?

A16. International artists gain access to unique resources, a supportive environment, and the opportunity to engage with Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation. They also build networks and showcase their work to new audiences.

Q17. What role does the Museums Commission play?

A17. The Museums Commission developed Diriyah Art Futures and oversees its mission. It supports the Kingdom’s cultural infrastructure and helps position Saudi Arabia as a leader in New Media Arts.

Q18. What is the significance of the theme “High-Resolution Dreams of Sand”?

A18. The theme invites critical engagement with technology’s role in shaping landscapes. It reflects Diriyah’s desert setting and the broader impact of digital innovation on natural and constructed environments.

Q19. How does the residency support Saudi artists?

A19. By including three Saudi artists in the first cohort, the residency provides them with international exposure, resources, and collaboration opportunities. It also inspires emerging local talent.

Q20. What are the long-term goals of Diriyah Art Futures?

A20. Diriyah Art Futures aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for New Media and Digital Art. It seeks to amplify the region’s influence at the intersection of art, science, and technology, in line with Vision 2030.

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