Latest news with #Ithra
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Ithra's Youth Summer Program ends with student-made creativity
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, concluded the fourth edition of its month-long Youth Summer Program with a grand finale on Thursday. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Held at Ithra's cinema, with its iconic vibrant colorful seats, the closing ceremony featured student-made film screenings, a piano performance and a spirited debate on AI's role in fostering future creativity. Running from July 7-31, the intensive program gave 30 people between the ages of 13 and 18 hands-on exposure to the arts of theater, cinema, music, creative writing and literature, among others. The curriculum was carefully curated, grounded in a creative learning methodology. It comprised 126 hours of educational content, 28 expert speakers and 10 specialized workshops, and included collaborations with entities such as the Architecture and Design Commission, and the Museums Commission. Now in its fourth year, Ithra's Youth Summer Program is one of the center's flagship initiatives aimed at nurturing Saudi Arabia's emerging creatives. For 15-year-old Toleen Farea, the experience offered an invaluable chance to playfully explore her interests in a streamlined way. 'The program covered many cultural fields, and each day they introduced new experts and topics, like history,' Farea told Arab News. 'The cinema part was my favorite — we made a film from scratch, using professional cameras and microphones. 'I used to be shy about theater and acting, but being with peers my age made it feel natural. It was my first time meeting many of the other participants,' she said. 'The experience was really great. It felt good to step outside the school environment and meet new people — some from my city but with different backgrounds, and even some from other places.' Fahad Al-Qahtani, a 15-year-old from Dammam, agreed. 'This program was a cultural one, and honestly, the experience was really beautiful,' he told Arab News. 'It introduced us to so many fields — from museums and libraries to design studios and much more. I spent my vacation doing something genuinely fun and meaningful. 'It wasn't just about learning from others; we also had the chance to turn our own ideas into something real — instead of just following someone else's concept,' he added. 'One of the activities we did was pottery. We connected it to architecture and design — how a broken piece of pottery can be repaired and turned into something beautiful again. It was inspired by the Japanese technique kintsugi. That idea really stuck with me: Even something that's been shattered can be brought back and made beautiful. 'Before this, I only made simple videos on my phone — little things I'd post online on TikTok, but this program gave me real filmmaking skills. It taught me the basics of cinematography, lighting, sound, editing — a bit of everything, really. I got to learn hands-on, and I even started thinking about how films are made behind the scenes. 'We also worked on a film that we're presenting today. I directed it. It's about a social issue: Repetition and routine,' he said. 'I don't want to spoil the ending, but the message is about breaking free from routine before it traps you. The film is only three minutes long, but I hope it makes people think. 'There were five films made, each with its own director. I directed just one of them. I'm now a director,' he said with pride. Following the films, Ithra hosted a special panel discussion featuring Mansour Al-Badran of the Saudi Film Festival, which was hosted at Ithra earlier this spring. Al-Badran spoke directly with the young directors. He offered encouragement, shared professional insights from the Kingdom's growing film scene and asked the students thoughtful questions about their creative processes, as well as the challenges they faced while filming. Though most of the students who presented live on stage were natural speakers, some were slightly nervous and the audience applauded warmly when a few temporarily froze. The majority of the programming was in Arabic, although some English was sprinkled in. Zaina Hejles, who took part last year when she was 14, returned this summer wearing a light blue vest with the word 'volunteer.' She told Arab News: 'Through this closing ceremony today, we're expecting a recap of everything that's happened this entire month. Everything that the students worked really hard for, it's all being showcased today. From their hands-on work to the movies to the debates, all of it is summed up today.' Reflecting on last year, she said: 'My focus was about acting — I was a grandma in a play. It was an interpretation of the Japanese book (by author Toshikazu Kawaguchi) 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold.' It was just a short little play about how you should savor your time and how life moves on so fast so you have to cherish it. 'I enjoy actually every single part, everything that this program offers — from the acting to the writing, the music. That's why I decided to join, because it really covers all of my interests,' she said. 'After that, I created deep, deep connections with so many people and also even with myself. I found out that I like things that I never knew I liked. I never knew I'd be this good at writing. I wrote a play now and I'm hoping to submit it in the Saudi program for plays. 'This program really brings out stuff in the youth that they didn't know they had. 'It was actually my mother's idea to join last year — I did not want to do anything. I wanted to spend time at home like any other teenager, but she really pushed for me to join because she was like 'what are you going to do at home, just sit on your phone?' I was like 'yes, exactly',' she said. 'But I'm honestly really happy I joined and I'm even more happy that they (Ithra) called me back a second time, asking me to come volunteer because this really is one of the best experiences you can have as a teenager. You're not going to get these years back. For me to be able to relive these moments twice, it's really something special.' Students are only allowed to enroll once, as the curriculum is repeated. Many — like Hejles — choose to return as volunteers, something both Farea and Al-Qahtani hope to do next summer.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Open call for submissions for 7th Ithra Art Prize announced by KSA
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has announced the open call for the 7th edition of the biennial Ithra Art Prize, an art grant supporting contemporary art across the Arab world. Submissions officially opened on July 24 and will be accepted till October 16, 2025. Founded in 2017, the prize is a valuable platform for artists from the region. With a grand award of USD 100,000, the winning artwork will find a permanent home in Ithra's forever art collection. In a significant expansion from previous years, the prize, through an appointed jury, will bestow production grants to five finalists for showcasing their work in an exhibition at Ithra, in the spring of 2026. The exhibition is a new highlight of the prize, as it returns the award to its home in KSA's Eastern Province, contributing to the artists' evolving legacies and aiming to amplify the discourse on contemporary art in the region. The final winner will be selected during the course of the exhibition. As part of its evolving approach, both new commissions and also recontextualised existing works, are eligible to apply. The Ithra Art Prize recognises artists whose practices are intellectually engaged, contextually grounded, and developed through sustained inquiry over time. Submitted works must also reflect artists' ongoing practice and research. The prize is open to individual artists and collectives aged 18 and older, should be of Arab heritage or be currently residing in one of the 22 Arab countries. E Pluribus Unum by Nadia Kaabi-Linke. Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra's Museum, said that 'the Ithra Art Prize supports artists who engage creatively and critically with conditions and ideas that speak to the diverse contexts of our region. The 7th Edition of the Ithra Art Prize marks a homecoming that expands the Prize's scope through an exhibition at Ithra, featuring multiple works in dialogue with one another.' The Ithra Art Prize is a premier platform for contemporary artists and celebrates a wide range of practices and perspectives. Past winners have exhibited at leading institutions within the Kingdom and internationally. They include Ayman Zedani (2018) for Mem, unveiled at Art Dubai; Daniah Al Saleh (2019), who won the second edition with Sawtam, an audiovisual installation based on Arabic phonemes, also unveiled at Art Dubai and exhibited later at the State Hermitage Museum, Russia; and Fahad bin Naif (2020), awarded for Rakhm, an installation exploring themes of environmental preservation and urban ecosystems. In 2021, Nadia Kaabi-Linke won with E Pluribus Unum, presented at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. E Pluribus Unum explored the impact of the global pandemic. The following year, Adel Abidin (2023), an Iraqi-Finnish artist, received the fifth edition prize for his large-scale installation ON. Most recently, in 2024, Obaid Alsafi was the sixth edition winner for his evocative installation Palms in Eternal Embrace, which debuted at the AlUla Arts Festival. Obaid's piece drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia's rich history and landscapes, referencing the 5,000-year-old sandstone pillars found in the artist's birthplace, the historical town of Qaryat Al Faw, and the ancient Rajajil Columns found in Al Jawf region, north of Saudi Arabia. Not only an architectural marvel, the Rajajil Columns were used to observe the stars and seasonal changes, and has recently provided evidence of the effects of climate change in the Arabian Peninsula. With its 7th edition, the Ithra Art Prize continues its founding mission of supporting artistic excellence, connecting Arab creatives to global audiences, and nurturing a thriving cultural ecosystem across the region and beyond. The Ithra Art Prize is one of the most significant awards dedicated to contemporary artists from or based in the 22 Arab countries. The biannual prize initially focused on Saudi and Saudi-based artists, and later expanded its fourth edition to include practices from across the wider Arab region. Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra's Museum. Offered by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), the prize's mandate is to spark cultural curiosity, foster original thought and expression, and celebrate work that reflects intellectually engaged and contextually responsive approaches. The winning artist is awarded by an international jury with a USD 100,000 grant, and his or her work is acquired by the Ithra Collection, helping shape both their artistic legacy and furthering the evolving discourse of contemporary Arab art. With every edition, Ithra aims to contribute to the region's creative ecosystem by providing a platform for contemporary artists to project their talent and forge partnerships with leading regional institutions, including Art Dubai, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, and the AlUla Arts Festival. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) — meaning 'enrichment' in Arabic — was built as part of Saudi Aramco's vision to create an ambitious initiative for the public. Ithra is the Kingdom's leading cultural and creative destination for talent development and cross-cultural experiences. Since its inaugural in 2018, each of Ithra's programmes has served as windows to global experiences, celebrating human potential and empowering creativity. Ithra's operating pillars include culture, creativity, community, art, and knowledge. With the visionary platforms and key initiatives, the art and culture body offers workshops, performances, and events. The leading cultural destination is located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. With a focus on enriching people's lives by offering impactful cultural and creative programmes and initiatives, since its opening Ithra has also become a distinguished architectural landmark that houses the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children's Museum and Knowledge Tower.
CairoScene
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Ithra Opens Call For 7th Edition of Its Regional Art Prize
Submissions are now open for one of the Arab world's most generous art grants, with a USD 100,000 prize and production support. 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.
Leaders
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Ithra Calls on Artists to Apply for 7th Art Prize
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has opened registration for the 7th edition of the biennial Ithra Art Prize, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Launched in 2017, the prize seeks to support contemporary art across the Arab world and offer a vital platform for talented artists. With a total prize pool of $100,000, the winning artwork will secure a lasting home within Ithra's permanent art collection. The 2025 edition of the Ithra Art Prize has witnessed notable expansion with the appointed jury providing five finalists with production grants to showcase their work in an exhibition at Ithra in the spring of 2026. Interestingly, the exhibition offers a unique and valuable opportunity to advance the award's objective of boosting a vibrant cultural movement in the region. By showcasing the fascinating artworks of participating artists, the award celebrates their artistic legacy, enriches the regional art scene, as well as encourages dialogue around contemporary Arab art. Crucially, the award is open to individual artists and creative collectives aged 18 and above, including Arab artists and those residing in Arab countries. This year, the award is accepting both new and previously submitted works until October 16. Submissions should mirror the artist's ongoing practice and research. Their works also should be intellectually driven, contextually rooted, and shaped by sustained exploration. Related Topics: Ithra Celebrates Eid Al-Adha with 31 Festivities Ithra Shines at Spain's 'Concéntrico' Festival with Inspired Saudi Agricultural Heritage Over 50,000 Attend Eid Celebrations at Ithra Featuring Artistic Performances Short link : Post Views: 7
Arab News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Ithra launches open call for $100,000 art prize
DHAHRAN: Artists across the region are invited to apply for the Ithra Art Prize, with $100,000 up for grabs and the chance to have their work displayed at one of the Middle East's leading cultural institutions. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the open call for the seventh edition, with the head of the museum calling it one of area's 'most generous and influential' art grants. Artists from across the Arab world can submit their proposals via the Ithra website, with a deadline of Oct. 16. This edition will also, for the first time, recognize five finalists with production grants. Their work, along with the winning commission, will be exhibited at Ithra's headquarters in spring 2026. Launched in 2017, the prize initially focused on Saudi and Saudi-based artists but was expanded in its fourth edition to include contemporary artists of Arab heritage across 22 countries. Farah Abushullaih, Ithra's head of museum, told Arab News it served as 'an open invitation to artists to speak in their own voice.' She said: 'We're looking for proposals that reflect depth, authenticity and a clear vision. What stands out is work that is intellectually grounded and emotionally resonant.' Both new commissions and re-contextualized existing works are accepted, provided they are closely linked to the artist's ongoing research and creative trajectory. Applicants must be aged 18 or older and of Arab heritage or residing in one of the 22 Arab countries. Both individual artists and collectives may apply. 'The prize is about expanding the region's cultural conversations through bold, original ideas. Ithra is committed to supporting them every step of the way, from conception to creation and beyond,' said Abushullaih. The Ithra Art Prize has played a pivotal role in advancing contemporary art from the region since its inception. Past winners have displayed their works at leading cultural events including Art Dubai, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the AlUla Arts Festival. Abushullaih said: 'Ithra continually evolves its programs to reflect the changing artistic landscape and needs of the Kingdom and the region. In the case of the Ithra Art Prize, this goes beyond funding; we offer a platform for dialogue, critical thinking and meaningful cultural exchange.' She added sustaining this impact was an ongoing commitment. 'It requires long-term investment in artists' development, authentic community engagement and creating opportunities for works to resonate, both locally and globally. We want Ithra to be a meeting place for cultures to interact, share, and grow,' she said. Looking ahead, Ithra is already in discussions to present the winner's work beyond Dhahran. 'Partnerships and collaborations have always been central to how we develop our programs and extend the reach of the artists we support,' said Abushullaih. 'We are in dialogue with institutions based in Saudi Arabia and internationally to explore ways for the seventh edition of the prize to be seen by a wider audience and experienced in new contexts beyond Ithra.'
