The Visual Arts Commission has marked the conclusion of the Art Bridges 2025-2026 season, following a year of international exchange that strengthened dialogue between Saudi and international visual arts communities.
The Art Bridges initiative brought together 40 Saudi and Saudi-based visual artists, cultural practitioners, creative professionals and cultural producers.
Dina Amin, Chief Executive Officer of the Visual Arts Commission, said: ‘Our objective in launching Art Bridges was to create opportunities whose impact would continue long after participants returned home. Throughout the season, we have seen artists and cultural practitioners build relationships with peers around the world while sharing their own experiences of Saudi Arabia’s evolving visual arts sector. We hope the conversations and connections that began through these programs will continue to influence their work in the years ahead.’
Across the four programs, participants explored how artists, institutions and creative communities approach shared challenges, from supporting emerging talent and engaging audiences to preserving cultural heritage and developing sustainable careers in the arts. Many also expressed a strong interest in artist residencies and other international opportunities for continued collaboration.
The exchanges provided an equally valuable opportunity for participants to share their own experiences of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving visual arts sector. Conversations frequently turned to the Kingdom’s cultural development, giving international counterparts greater insight into its artistic landscape while opening the door to future professional relationships and collaboration.
The season concluded with a closing gathering in Riyadh in mid-July, bringing together the four cohorts for the first time to compare experiences from each destination and view a short documentary highlighting the initiative.
Art Bridges forms part of the Visual Arts Commission’s broader efforts to support the professional development of Saudi cultural practitioners, strengthen international cultural engagement and expand opportunities for global collaboration, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.