Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 to Open Jan. 30 With Expanded Curatorial Team
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the appointment of an expanded curatorial team and the official opening date for the third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale.
Riyadh — The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has revealed the formation of a broadened curatorial team and confirmed the inaugural date for the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale's third iteration, set to commence on Jan. 30, 2026.
Spearheaded by Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, the ensemble embodies the event's intensifying endeavor to fuse Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning cultural landscape with global artistic dialogues.
Razian serves as Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes at Art Jameel, while Ahmed is a curator and educator who acts as Projects Advisor at the Ishara Art Foundation.
This assembly also includes international curators Maan Abu Taleb, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie, and Lantian Xie.
Additionally, Milan-based architect Sammy Zarka has been appointed as Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 will unfold within the JAX District of Diriyah, a thriving cultural and creative hub located west of Riyadh.
The event's footprint will expand into recently opened venues across the district, further activating its industrial heritage spaces and building upon the success of prior editions, which collectively drew over 340,000 attendees.
Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, underscores that the diversity among the curators' backgrounds — encompassing music, literature, performance, and architecture — reflects the Biennale's dedication to cross-disciplinary exchange.
Al-Bakree comments: "This curatorial team unites a wide array of perspectives molded by various disciplines," she explains.
"Their expertise illustrates the evolving nature of contemporary art as a medium for dialogue, opening fresh pathways for artists and audiences in Saudi Arabia." The 2026 edition will exhibit new commissions and works from both local and international artists, fostering discussions on contemporary art's role within a nation undergoing significant metamorphosis.
Spearheaded by Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, the ensemble embodies the event's intensifying endeavor to fuse Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning cultural landscape with global artistic dialogues.
Razian serves as Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes at Art Jameel, while Ahmed is a curator and educator who acts as Projects Advisor at the Ishara Art Foundation.
This assembly also includes international curators Maan Abu Taleb, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie, and Lantian Xie.
Additionally, Milan-based architect Sammy Zarka has been appointed as Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 will unfold within the JAX District of Diriyah, a thriving cultural and creative hub located west of Riyadh.
The event's footprint will expand into recently opened venues across the district, further activating its industrial heritage spaces and building upon the success of prior editions, which collectively drew over 340,000 attendees.
Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, underscores that the diversity among the curators' backgrounds — encompassing music, literature, performance, and architecture — reflects the Biennale's dedication to cross-disciplinary exchange.
Al-Bakree comments: "This curatorial team unites a wide array of perspectives molded by various disciplines," she explains.
"Their expertise illustrates the evolving nature of contemporary art as a medium for dialogue, opening fresh pathways for artists and audiences in Saudi Arabia." The 2026 edition will exhibit new commissions and works from both local and international artists, fostering discussions on contemporary art's role within a nation undergoing significant metamorphosis.
