The Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate has revealed the names of the participants in the upcoming edition of its art residency program, which is in collaboration with the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFalula). The new season will continue throughout the year 2024 and includes six programs, five of which are dedicated to the art residency, while the sixth program is reserved for alumni. The programs include AlUla for Visual Arts, AlUla for Design, AlUla for Arts and Botany, Agriculture and Landscaping, AlUla for Heritage and Innovation, and Long-Term Residencies.
The program serves as an opportunity to encourage artists and creatives from various fields to explore the potentials of AlUla, and it aims to strengthen its position as a global center for creative minds and a destination for art residency programs. Artists and designers from around the world will participate in the AlUla Art Residency program, with the list of participants in the visual arts residency including artists from Saudi Arabia, France, Australia, the UAE, Brazil, and South Africa.
Ali Al-Ghazawi, Head of the Creative Opportunities Department at the Royal Commission for AlUla, stated: "The AlUla Art Residency program is a testament to our commitment to enhancing our position as a vibrant global destination for creativity. Through our programs in visual arts, design, and landscaping, we are crafting a diverse and rich scene that transcends the limits of individual projects, inspired by the wonders of nature and history in AlUla."
For his part, Arnaud Morand, Head of Innovation and Creativity at the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFalula), pointed out that "the AlUla Art Residency program offers insight into how the community interacts with changes and how to keep pace with them, providing a practical framework for creatives to meaningfully integrate themselves. It serves as a cornerstone in the field of arts and a roadmap for establishing strategies for creativity in AlUla."
It is worth noting that the artworks produced by some of AlUla's art residency programs will be available to visitors through the AlUla Arts Festival, which will present exhibitions as part of the festival's events from February 9 to March 2, 2024, dedicated to the visual arts and design programs.
