Historically, the art scene has been dominated by European and Western artists, with just an exclusive selection of names commanding the majority of the attention. There’s one platform, however, that is not only celebrating and empowering contemporary artists from the Arab region and placing them on a global map, it’s giving them the means to do so too.
First launched in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize is one of the most generous art grants in the world, coming in at a cool USD 100,000 (Dhs 367,250). Now in its seventh year, it is once more accepting applications ahead of its next exhibition, which will be taking place at Ithra in spring 2026. Alongside the winner, five finalists will also receive production grants to showcase their work. “What sets the Ithra Art Prize apart is its emphasis on ideas, supporting artists who are pushing conceptual boundaries and engaging critically with the world around them,” Farah Abushullaih, Head of Museum at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), tells MOJEH. “The Prize is about advancing contemporary art practice and dialogue in the region, with its impact measured in the lasting contributions it enables artists to make to cultural discourse.”
The Ithra Art Prize has most certainly stayed true to its word to support local talent, with a number of past winners, including Ayman Zedani, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, and Obaid Alsafi, who won the sixth edition for his evocative installation ‘Palms in Eternal Embrace’, going on to exhibit at leading institutions both within the Kingdom and internationally. “The Prize is influencing perceptions and redefining Arab contemporary art’s role, affirming its power to inspire change, and shape the future of artistic expression,” adds Farah.
2026 will not only be a milestone year, but also a homecoming, with the prize returning to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province – a move important to the foundation’s mission as a cultural institution. “The local community’s support remains a powerful source of inspiration,” continues Farah. “Hosting the lead exhibition in Dhahran helps to strengthen Ithra’s role as a regional cultural hub, inviting artists and audiences alike to experience the unique energy and creativity of the area while expanding the reach of the Prize’s impact.”
Fancy your chances? You’ve got until 16 October to apply.
