Ithra Opens Call For 7th Edition of Its Regional Art Prize

Submissions are now open for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, one of the Arab world’s most generous awards for contemporary artists. Founded by the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, the biennial prize awards USD 100,000 to a single artist, whose work will be added to Ithra’s permanent collection.

For the first time, five additional finalists will also receive production grants, with all six works to be presented in a group exhibition set for spring 2026.

Open to artists of Arab heritage or those based in any of the 22 Arab countries, the prize welcomes both new commissions and reimagined existing works that reflect a sustained artistic practice rooted in research and critical inquiry. Submissions are open until October 16, 2025.

Since launching in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize has grown into a regional platform for contemporary Arab art. Past winners—including Ayman Zedani, Daniah Al Saleh, and Obaid Alsafi—have leveraged the prize to expand their international presence. Previous winning works have also debuted at major cultural events such as Art Dubai, the Diriyah Biennale, and the AlUla Arts Festival.