Misk Art Institute Launches 9th Edition of Misk Art Week

Misk Art Institute, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), has launched the ninth edition of Misk Art Week at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall in Riyadh.

The six-day event celebrates arts and artists, offering an accessible space for creative expression, artistic participation, and community outreach. It will feature exhibitions, live performances, workshops, public programs, and opportunities to engage directly with the arts through curated artistic experiences. An Art & Design market will showcase original work by designers and artists, inviting visitors to explore unique pieces, connect with creative talents, and enjoy a dynamic setting that celebrates artistic expression.

Reem Al-Sultan, CEO of Misk Art Institute, said, “For nine years, Misk Art Week has stood as one of the Kingdom’s leading creative platforms, bringing artists and the community together to celebrate artistic achievement and giving the public an opportunity to engage with art firsthand. Misk Art Week 2025 welcomes an even wider circle of artists and visitors supported by our partners. Through this dynamic platform, artists will share their work and audiences will have a broader space to explore, experiment, and spark their creativity. By nurturing an open environment for artistic expression, we continue to advance Misk Art Institute’s vision of empowering a thriving, creative community, making the arts accessible to all and supporting the evolving artistic landscape in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

Misk Art Week 2025 is supported by several partners from different sectors. As a Main Partner, Saudi National Bank (SNB) underscores its commitment to sustainability by supporting community empowerment initiatives and cultural programs that celebrate national identity. As Supporting Partners, AlArabia Outdoor Advertising is dedicating platforms for the Misk Art Week marketing campaign, and Vision Invest is championing national cultural and artistic initiatives, contributing to long-term development. Contributing Partners include flynas, the Official Airline, and Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group as Healthcare Partner.

The Year of Handicrafts initiative joins Misk Art Week 2025 as a Contributing Partner, bringing together the Ministry of Culture, the Heritage Commission, and Misk Art Institute to highlight Saudi handicrafts and present them within contemporary cultural experiences. As part of this collaboration, several licensed artisans will participate through dedicated spaces across the Art & Design Market, the Art Book Fair, and Public Programs. These efforts contribute to empowering Saudi craftspeople and support their work while promoting the national Year of Handicrafts initiative.

Established in 2017, Misk Art Week has evolved into a premier platform for promoting creativity and community engagement. Through enhanced collaborations and an expanded cultural program, this year’s event strengthens cultural and artistic engagement, supporting the Institute’s mission of empowering a vibrant creative community and making the arts accessible to all.

Misk Art Week 2025 Highlights

Exhibitions

Art Across the Arabian Gulf

As the Arabian Gulf states expand and transform, they offer a contemplative journey for artists who respond to the tension between modernity and tradition, often reframing questions of identity and belonging. Art Across the Arabian Gulf revisits the foundations of modern Gulf art, celebrating a generation whose creativity contributed to the region’s cultural landscape for decades and continues to influence it today. Through 150+ artworks by 70+ artists, the exhibition invites visitors to reconnect with the landscapes that have shaped community life across generations.

In Its Presence

The flagship Misk Art Week 2025 exhibition, In Its Presence, reflects on the enduring relationship between man and the natural elements - land, sea, and sky. Presented across three sections, Nightfall, Daylight, and The First Light, the exhibition features work by more than 20 artists from across the Arabian Gulf who explore climatic change, cultural memory, and healing. Through immersive works, the exhibition invites visitors to slow down, listen to their surroundings, and reconsider how we relate to the natural world.

In Its Presence brings together artists Abdelkarim Qassem (Saudi Arabia), Abdulmohsen Albinali (Saudi Arabia), Abdulla Buhijji (Bahrain), Abdullah Al Othman (Saudi Arabia), Ahaad Alamoudi (Saudi Arabia), Alia Ahmad (Saudi Arabia), Amna Al Baker (Qatar), Athoub Al Busaily (Kuwait), Budoor Al Riyami (Oman), Fatma Abdulhadi (Saudi Arabia), Hashel Al Lamki (UAE), Khalid Bin Afif (Yemen/Saudi Arabia), Mariam Alnoaimi (Bahrain), Mashael Al Saie (Bahrain), Mohammad Alfaraj (Saudi Arabia), Nahla Tabbaa (Jordan/UAE), Nasser Al Salem (Saudi Arabia), Rawan AlSalem (Saudi Arabia), Raya Kassisieh (Palestine), Sara Alghesheyan (Saudi Arabia), and Zahrah Alghamdi (Saudi Arabia).

Masaha Residency - Cycle 10 Open Studio

To stand at the edge of knowing is to recognize that we are always in motion, shaped by our histories, surroundings, and the mysteries that remain just beyond our grasp. At the Edge of Knowing brings together 12 artists for a three-month research-driven program. The residency, organized in collaboration with Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF), examines the spaces between perception, memory, and truth, culminating in an Open Studio during Misk Art Week that offers visitors a direct window into the artists’ evolving creative processes.

Masaha Residents joining Cycle 10 include: Ahmad Haddad, Alhassan Angawi, Alyona Volkova, Asma Alshurahyi, Fabio Dartizio, Joud Fahmy, Lulu Alghofaili, Marco Conti Šikić, Qafar Rzayev, Sarah Elyedreci, Shaden Hesham, and Xi Ning.

Art & Design Market

The Art & Design Market transforms the traditional marketplace into a dynamic creative hub for the works of more than 90 creatives. The platform offers a platform where the creative community explores, engages, and markets unique artworks. This fusion of art and commerce drives innovation and celebrates creativity while curating inspiring experiences, connecting artists with audiences, and making art accessible to all.

Artistic Experiences

Misk Art Week 2025 offers hands-on artistic experiences that invite participants to explore creative techniques and immerse themselves in the art-making process. Artist-led workshops introduce a range of methods and materials, creating an encouraging environment where participants can experiment freely and discover new creative possibilities. Practical sessions span diverse artistic approaches, including mixed media, collage, weaving, zine making, and oil painting. 

School Visits Program Artworks Display

Misk Art Week 2025 is dedicating a space for introducing an educational initiative designed to connect the next generation with arts and culture through guided tours and educational activities throughout the week.

The initiative aims to welcome more than 600 students. A dedicated exhibition space will showcase the artworks produced through the School Visits Program, celebrating students’ creativity, and documenting their contributions to Misk Art Week.

Educational Programs

An expanded set of more than 75 educational programs offers accessible entry points for learning and creative exploration. Hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and skill-building activities across photography, visual arts, and other creative disciplines are available for a broad range of participants.

Mentorship Sessions

One-to-one mentorship sessions offer young artists the opportunity to receive expert guidance and advance their projects. Designed to nurture emerging talent and deepen public engagement with the arts, these programs invite participants of all levels to experiment, learn, and connect with the arts within a supportive environment.

Art Book Fair

At the Art Library, the third edition of the Art Book Fair brings together eight art zines from 12 local, regional, and international publishers specializing in Arab art and culture. This vibrant hub will showcase new book releases and host exclusive signing events.

Art Fair

Art Fair 2025 is hosting nine galleries from across Saudi Arabia. Visitors will enjoy an accessible and vibrant space to explore new perspectives, discover collectible works, and engage with the artists shaping today’s creative landscape.

Featured galleries include Abstract ART Gallery, Alajlan Art Gallery, Dawi Gallery, ERRM Art Gallery, Hafez Gallery, Marsami Art Gallery, MONO Gallery, Synergy Art Hub, and WRD Art Gallery.