Where to see art in AlUla

For centuries AlUla attracted a diverse range of people from all parts of the world, as they journeyed through the city to marketplaces to buy and sell goods. Today, AlUla maintains its global pull, attracting numerous talented practitioners from a number of sectors such as art, food, sport and music. In this way, AlUla continues to be a place where ideas are exchanged and minds are inspired.

Art, undoubtedly, is one of the driving forces of AlUla’s global appeal, leading to the building of a sterling reputation for cutting-edge art exhibitions and the renowned AlUla Arts Festival. The AlJadidah Arts District is a particularly thriving hub for art, with its famous hand-painted carpet that is the world’s largest. Here, streets have been brought to life with colourful murals that reflect both the natural environment and history of AlUla. Art institutions such as the respected ATHR Gallery are dotted throughout this creative neighbourhood, displaying artwork that is inextricably linked to – and inspired by – local surroundings.

Maraya, AlUla’s astonishing architectural masterpiece, is a work of art in itself, but art can be found within its mirrored walls. A multi-use creative space, Maraya hosted a landmark Andy Warhol exhibition in 2023 and most recently hosted More Than Meets the Eye, which saw many important pieces from private Saudi collectors shown in public for the first time.

 

The appetite for art appreciation at AlUla has meant that a purpose-built Contemporary Art Museum will soon open its doors with three core collections based on different themes (other dedicated cultural spaces on the horizon include the Museum Of The Incense Road). The Three Seas Collection will show art inspired by the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean regions. For immersive art, installations within the Continents Collection will spark a dialogue about global creativity. Finally, the Desert Collection will celebrate AlUla and its history.

For a more hands-on artistic endeavour, a series of workshops at Madrasat Addeera give visitors an opportunity to try traditional handicrafts such as jewellery, embroidery and ceramics. Alongside various permanent art exhibitions, AlUla pushes forward with bold outdoor installations. Collaborating with the world’s best artists and giving them a blank canvas with which to work has helped make the bi-annual Desert X AlUla an internationally recognised art festival.

Building huge anticipation in the world’s art community is Wadi AlFann, a desert gallery in AlUla for major art pieces from five leading artists. Translating to the ‘Valley of the Arts’, the 65 square kilometre Wadi AlFann aims to explore how a landscape can not only affect the artistic output but also impact how the viewer interacts with the installation placed before them. Backed by the passion of visionary artistic minds, AlUla’s reputation as a hugely relevant and progressive global art hub continues to flourish.