Latest news with #IthraArtPrize
CairoScene
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Ithra Opens Call For 7th Edition of Its Regional Art Prize
Submissions are now open for one of the Arab world's most generous art grants, with a USD 100,000 prize and production support. Submissions are now open for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, one of the Arab world's most generous awards for contemporary artists. Founded by the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, the biennial prize awards USD 100,000 to a single artist, whose work will be added to Ithra's permanent collection. For the first time, five additional finalists will also receive production grants, with all six works to be presented in a group exhibition set for spring 2026. Open to artists of Arab heritage or those based in any of the 22 Arab countries, the prize welcomes both new commissions and reimagined existing works that reflect a sustained artistic practice rooted in research and critical inquiry. Submissions are open until October 16, 2025. Since launching in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize has grown into a regional platform for contemporary Arab art. Past winners—including Ayman Zedani, Daniah Al Saleh, and Obaid Alsafi—have leveraged the prize to expand their international presence. Previous winning works have also debuted at major cultural events such as Art Dubai, the Diriyah Biennale, and the AlUla Arts Festival.
Leaders
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Ithra Calls on Artists to Apply for 7th Art Prize
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has opened registration for the 7th edition of the biennial Ithra Art Prize, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Launched in 2017, the prize seeks to support contemporary art across the Arab world and offer a vital platform for talented artists. With a total prize pool of $100,000, the winning artwork will secure a lasting home within Ithra's permanent art collection. The 2025 edition of the Ithra Art Prize has witnessed notable expansion with the appointed jury providing five finalists with production grants to showcase their work in an exhibition at Ithra in the spring of 2026. Interestingly, the exhibition offers a unique and valuable opportunity to advance the award's objective of boosting a vibrant cultural movement in the region. By showcasing the fascinating artworks of participating artists, the award celebrates their artistic legacy, enriches the regional art scene, as well as encourages dialogue around contemporary Arab art. Crucially, the award is open to individual artists and creative collectives aged 18 and above, including Arab artists and those residing in Arab countries. This year, the award is accepting both new and previously submitted works until October 16. Submissions should mirror the artist's ongoing practice and research. Their works also should be intellectually driven, contextually rooted, and shaped by sustained exploration. Related Topics: Ithra Celebrates Eid Al-Adha with 31 Festivities Ithra Shines at Spain's 'Concéntrico' Festival with Inspired Saudi Agricultural Heritage Over 50,000 Attend Eid Celebrations at Ithra Featuring Artistic Performances Short link : Post Views: 7
Arab News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Ithra launches open call for $100,000 art prize
DHAHRAN: Artists across the region are invited to apply for the Ithra Art Prize, with $100,000 up for grabs and the chance to have their work displayed at one of the Middle East's leading cultural institutions. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the open call for the seventh edition, with the head of the museum calling it one of area's 'most generous and influential' art grants. Artists from across the Arab world can submit their proposals via the Ithra website, with a deadline of Oct. 16. This edition will also, for the first time, recognize five finalists with production grants. Their work, along with the winning commission, will be exhibited at Ithra's headquarters in spring 2026. Launched in 2017, the prize initially focused on Saudi and Saudi-based artists but was expanded in its fourth edition to include contemporary artists of Arab heritage across 22 countries. Farah Abushullaih, Ithra's head of museum, told Arab News it served as 'an open invitation to artists to speak in their own voice.' She said: 'We're looking for proposals that reflect depth, authenticity and a clear vision. What stands out is work that is intellectually grounded and emotionally resonant.' Both new commissions and re-contextualized existing works are accepted, provided they are closely linked to the artist's ongoing research and creative trajectory. Applicants must be aged 18 or older and of Arab heritage or residing in one of the 22 Arab countries. Both individual artists and collectives may apply. 'The prize is about expanding the region's cultural conversations through bold, original ideas. Ithra is committed to supporting them every step of the way, from conception to creation and beyond,' said Abushullaih. The Ithra Art Prize has played a pivotal role in advancing contemporary art from the region since its inception. Past winners have displayed their works at leading cultural events including Art Dubai, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the AlUla Arts Festival. Abushullaih said: 'Ithra continually evolves its programs to reflect the changing artistic landscape and needs of the Kingdom and the region. In the case of the Ithra Art Prize, this goes beyond funding; we offer a platform for dialogue, critical thinking and meaningful cultural exchange.' She added sustaining this impact was an ongoing commitment. 'It requires long-term investment in artists' development, authentic community engagement and creating opportunities for works to resonate, both locally and globally. We want Ithra to be a meeting place for cultures to interact, share, and grow,' she said. Looking ahead, Ithra is already in discussions to present the winner's work beyond Dhahran. 'Partnerships and collaborations have always been central to how we develop our programs and extend the reach of the artists we support,' said Abushullaih. 'We are in dialogue with institutions based in Saudi Arabia and internationally to explore ways for the seventh edition of the prize to be seen by a wider audience and experienced in new contexts beyond Ithra.'
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Ithra announces open call for 7th Ithra Art Prize with expanded exhibition format
Saudi Gazette report DHAHRAN — The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has announced the open call for the 7th edition of the Ithra Art Prize, one of the world's most generous grants for contemporary artists from the Arab world. With a top award of $100,000 and a new format including five additional finalists, the prize offers an unparalleled platform for regional creatives. Submissions are now open and will be accepted until October 16, 2025. For the first time in the prize's history, five finalists will receive production grants to showcase their works alongside the winner in a collective exhibition at Ithra in spring 2026. The final winner will be selected during the exhibition, which marks a return of the prize's centerpiece event to Ithra's home in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Launched in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize is open to individual artists and collectives aged 18 and above who are either of Arab heritage or reside in one of the 22 Arab prize welcomes both new commissions and recontextualized existing works that reflect sustained inquiry, intellectual engagement, and a strong regional context.'The Ithra Art Prize supports artists who engage creatively and critically with conditions and ideas that speak to the diverse contexts of our region,' said Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra's Museum.'The 7th edition marks a homecoming that expands the prize's scope through an exhibition at Ithra featuring multiple works in dialogue with one another.'Since its inception, the Ithra Art Prize has launched the careers of prominent artists across the Arab winners include Ayman Zedani, Daniah Al Saleh, Fahad bin Naif, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Adel Abidin, and Obaid works have been featured at Art Dubai, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, the State Hermitage Museum in Russia, and the AlUla Arts Prize continues to foster dialogue, innovation, and cultural production across the Arab region, with a focus on bridging local voices with global audiences.
