USD 62.2 Billion Digital Art Institute Opens in Riyadh

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), a cutting-edge digital art institute, has opened in Riyadh. Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, the new facility is part of a larger USD 62.2 billion project funded by the government’s sovereign wealth fund.

The 6,550-square-metre DAF is designed to be a pioneering hub for new media and digital art, featuring state-of-the-art labs, immersive exhibition spaces and advanced audio/video studios. The facility aims to support and promote innovative art practices, with a strong emphasis on education, production and exhibitions.

One of the highlights of the institute is the launch of its ‘Emerging New Media Artists Programme’, which welcomed 12 artists from 11 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco. In addition, the centre is offering arts residencies, with the first focused on the theme ‘High-Resolution Dreams of Sand’, reflecting the region's history and its future in art and technology.