Saudi Arabia: Diriyah Biennale expands public programs in April

 

Saudi Arabia: Diriyah Biennale promoting meaningful dialogue between artists and audiences

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced an expanded lineup of public programs for April, enhancing engagement around the third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, which remains open to visitors at Jax District until May 2, 2026.

These public programs play a key role in extending the biennale beyond its exhibitions, transforming it into a dynamic platform for talks, screenings, workshops, and performances. The initiative is designed to make curatorial research more accessible while encouraging meaningful dialogue between artists, practitioners, and audiences through interactive and participatory experiences.

A major highlight of April’s schedule is the return of the Research Room in its second edition, titled “Timekeepers: The Archive in Flux.” Taking place from April 22 to 25, the four-day symposium gathers artists, researchers, and practitioners to explore the connections between art and everyday life through a multidisciplinary approach.

 

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This year’s program features a diverse mix of talks, workshops, screenings, and collaborative formats, with contributions from a range of regional creative groups and institutions. It will conclude with presentations and interactive sessions that deepen the biennale’s focus on archival practices.

Expanding on this theme, several initiatives throughout April examine the archive as a living and evolving medium. One of these, “Selves in Transit: Archiving Image in Movement,” is a three-day masterclass inviting participants to experiment with stop-motion techniques, using personal and family archives to explore themes of migration and transformation.

In another session, “In the Presence of Absence,” filmmaker and artist Tamer El-Said reflects on the artistic and ethical challenges of working with archival materials, particularly how meaning is shaped through selection and reinterpretation. Meanwhile, “A Counter-Archive Lab: Micro-residency” offers an intensive six-day program focused on collaborative research and interdisciplinary experimentation, culminating in a public presentation.

 

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The foundation is also partnering with Christie’s to present “Contemporary Art in the Middle East: On Culture and Value,” a masterclass that explores the region’s art ecosystem and its connections to global cultural markets through lectures, discussions, and studio visits.

In addition to these programs, the biennale continues its community-focused initiatives, including specialized sessions for children with special needs and orphaned children. Led by experts in education and creative therapy, these sessions aim to support self-expression, build confidence, and foster a sense of belonging.

The biennale’s “Cinema Nights” series also continues throughout April in collaboration with the Red Sea Film Foundation, featuring a curated selection of short films.

Source: Arab News