In Saudi Arabia, a dramatic cultural transformation is underway, particularly visible in Riyadh’s vibrant art scene. The epicenter of this change is the Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMOCA), located in the historic Diriyah district, now a burgeoning hub for creativity and art. This development is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, a strategic framework to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil by diversifying its economy.
The annual Noor Riyadh festival, a celebration of light-based art, showcases works from Saudi and international artists, highlighting the city’s emerging role as a cultural metropolis. This is one facet of Riyadh’s broader push towards global prominence, marked by bids to host major events like the 2034 World Cup and the World Expo 2030.
International collaborations are also blossoming, as evidenced by the planned contemporary art space in AlUla, a joint effort between…