Ghadi Joudah

JEDDAH: Saudi artists of all styles are set to get a boost through the establishment of a new association to support the visual arts.

Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the establishment of a Saudi Visual Arts Association that will further encourage artists’ work, empower and support the art scene, and promote Saudi culture.

The association will serve as a bridging platform between visual arts and culture for Saudi professionals and upcoming artists.

The association will boost Saudi artist confidence through appreciation, education, and training as they evolve and improve.

The Saudi community is no stranger to the art scene.

Established in 1973, the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts has been supporting local artists ever since. In 2018, they launched a training institute to develop performance and technique within aspiring visual artists.

Similarly, the Saudi Art Council, founded in 2013, is one of the Kingdom’s primary platforms for engaging with talented local artists by securing curated annual exhibitions of the highest standards.

“The VAA marks the new and improved approach to visual arts, and I’m lucky to be witnessing it,” said 21-year-old Abdulaziz Al-Gethami, a visual arts patron and winner of the first annual Red Sea Film Festival short film award.

Al-Gethami said that these opportunities have opened doors for him, allowing him to pursue his passion for film-making and use it as a “medium of both art and entertainment, perfect for introducing new ideas, starting conversations, and communicating shared dreams for the country.”

The tremendous support in recent years to enhance the Saudi culture sector and encourage creativity is part of the Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Vision Roadmap to create a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.

The first group of cultural initiatives includes the Red Sea Film Festival, Ad-Diriyah Biennale, and annual contemporary art exhibitions such as Athr art gallery and 21’39 Jeddah Arts.

These initiatives allow the community to engage in rich cultural experiences by engaging in intellectually stimulating dialogue and other professional interactions.