Riyadh, 26 Shawwal 1447 AH (14 April 2026)

Coinciding with World Art Day on 15 April, the Riyadh Art program stands out as one of the most important initiatives to have redefined the presence of art in Riyadh, turning it into a core element of daily life that enhances quality of life and elevates the capital's urban scene.

Art as Part of Daily Life in Riyadh

Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has worked to weave the arts into the city's urban fabric by placing artworks in squares, plazas, road corridors, transport stations and public facilities, turning Riyadh into an open gallery pulsing with creativity.

The program has delivered more than 665 artworks through its varied projects, including Noor Riyadh, the Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium and its permanent art collection, in a scene that reflects the diversity of experiences and the breadth of artistic impact.

Strengthening Visual Identity and Community Engagement

The program has succeeded in taking art out of its traditional halls and into public space, making it part of the community's daily experience, raising cultural awareness, opening the way for every segment of society to engage with the arts, and enabling artists to present their work in ever-renewing urban contexts.

Noor Riyadh: A Global Light Art Experience

The Noor Riyadh festival is one of the program's most prominent projects, ranked among the world's largest light art festivals. Across five editions it has presented hundreds of light artworks that turned sites across the city into open platforms for contemporary art. The event has drawn more than 9.6 million visitors and viewers, reflecting the scale of engagement with modern art.

Tuwaiq Sculpture: A Platform for Live Creativity

The Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium is another leading initiative, attracting artists from around the world and producing sculptures that have become part of the capital's visual identity. The symposium is distinguished by its "live sculpting" experience, which lets the public follow the stages of creating the works, deepening understanding of the creative process and bringing art closer to the audience.

Comprehensive Support for the Art Ecosystem

Riyadh Art's role goes beyond producing artworks to supporting the art ecosystem as a whole, providing exhibition platforms, encouraging cultural exchange, developing skills and supporting national talent, helping to build a new generation of artists.

Art as a Core Element of Quality of Life

The program has established public art as an active element in improving quality of life. Artworks add an aesthetic and cultural dimension to the urban scene, strengthen community engagement and make the city a more vibrant and creative environment.

On World Art Day, Riyadh stands out as a model of a city shaped by art, reshaping the relationship between people and place and confirming that the arts have become an integral part of building the cities of the future.

At a Glance

  • Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Occasion: World Art Day (15 April)
  • Artworks: 665
  • Key events: Noor Riyadh and Tuwaiq Sculpture
  • Visitors: more than 9.6 million
  • Goal: enhancing quality of life and the urban scene