The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran has opened the Ithra Art Prize 2026 exhibition, running from 3 August to 31 December 2026 and presenting the contemporary works shortlisted for the seventh edition of the prize.

The exhibition is held in Gallery 1 of the Ithra Museum as part of the Arts and Design program, bringing together the works of five finalists in an experience that lets visitors explore contemporary visions and practices addressing people, society, culture and memory.

The exhibition places the seventh edition's shortlisted works before the public in a single space, after the five finalists received production grants that helped them develop their projects and present them in the show.

Visitors can follow the nominated works and discover the approaches and ideas of a generation of artists working in contemporary art.

The new edition extends the prize's role in providing a space for artistic production and experimentation, while supporting artists' visibility and bringing their work to a wider audience.

A Prize Supporting Contemporary Art Since 2017

The Ithra Art Prize was launched in 2017 as one of Ithra's initiatives to support the creative scene and contemporary art. It is held every two years to give artists a platform to develop their practices and projects.

The prize's role goes beyond selecting a winning work. It gives finalists the chance to produce new pieces and present them to the public, enriching the conversation around contemporary artistic practice and the cultural and social issues it addresses.

The exhibition runs for several months, giving Ithra's visitors ample opportunity to explore the participating works within the center's cultural and artistic programs.

Open to all ages, the exhibition is one of the artistic experiences through which Ithra connects the public with the contemporary art scene and introduces a range of artistic practices and styles.

The Ithra Art Prize 2026 exhibition continues until 31 December inside the Ithra Museum in Dhahran, in a program spanning roughly five months of exhibitions.