Art in Saudi Arabia by Alia Al-Senussi and Rebecca Anne Proctor

"Art in Saudi Arabia: A New Creative Economy?" offers a fascinating insight into the fast-changing contemporary-art scene in Saudi Arabia, which is being actively developed as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy. Rebecca Anne Proctor and Alia Al-Senussi will discuss the thriving contemporary Saudi art scene in the context of Saudi history and economics as well as many other themes addressed in the book, including major changes in the cultural sector, the country’s transformation, the challenges faced, the benefits, as well as insights gained through extensive research and interviews. As culture is playing a crucial role in the country’s period of socio-economic change, the conversation will focus on the current developments in the cultural sector and the wider art world.

As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to grab the world’s attention for its rapid development plans and social transformation, this book offers a fascinating insight into he fast-changing contemporary-art scene in Saudi Arabia, which is being actively developed as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy. Art in Saudi Arabia: A New Creative Economy, which is being published in the months of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s expected visit to the United Kingdom, his first since 2018, spotlights the role that contemporary art will play in Saudi Arabia's new push for cultural diplomacy as well as sweeping reform in the country. As the Kingdom mobilises its vast resources behind the economic and social priorities of its Vision 2030 strategy and seeks new terms of engagement with the international community, art is set to take centre stage. Rooted in Saudi Arabia's own traditions and contemporary practices, a barrage of planned events, installations, public projects, biennales and museum openings are beginning to draw in many from the international art community. This book looks at both the historic and contemporary contexts for this recent state-led focus on art in the Kingdom; at how its planned events and programmes stand apart, in resource, scale and ambition, from seemingly similar initiatives coming from that region; and at both the opportunities and pitfalls, not just for the burgeoning art world of Saudi Arabia, but for practitioners and professionals around the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Rebecca Anne Proctor is an independent journalist, editor and broadcaster based
between Dubai and Rome. She is the former editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Art.

Alia Al-Senussi, PhD, is a cultural strategist and patron of the arts whose academic
focus has been on the nexus of contemporary art and cultural diplomacy. She has
collaborated and advised on a variety of artistic projects in Saudi Arabia.

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