Latest news with #RiyadhArt
Biz Bahrain
15-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
RISE Launches Arts & Culture Practice to Drive Commercial Growth of the Sector Across MENA
The MENA region's leading independent sports, culture and entertainment commercial agency, RISE Group, has launched a specialist Arts & Culture practice, headed by industry expert from Bahrain, Rayyah Fathalla. RISE's dedicated team of arts & culture specialists will provide strategic and commercial advisory to a sector undergoing rapid evolution. 'Launching a dedicated Arts & Culture practice was a logical and timely progression for RISE,' says Fathalla. 'Our aim is to help cultural institutions and heritage sites realise their full potential by adopting commercial strategies that are both innovative and sustainable. The region's cultural landscape is becoming increasingly sophisticated and plays a huge role in developing local communities, quality of life and tourism. Our niche industry knowledge and deep understanding of the MENA region enable us to provide market–leading solutions.' RISE has supported the commercialisation of groundbreaking cultural projects such as Riyadh Art, including the Noor Riyadh festival, and the first Saudi Grand Opera. The agency has also delivered commercial projects for prominent clients, including the Ministry of Culture, the Heritage Commission, Diriyah Season, Qiddiya, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. With more than a decade of experience delivering high-profile commercial success in the region, RISE is well established as the market leader, guiding organisations through an increasingly competitive market. The new practice will provide specialised services including asset valuations, commercial strategy development, institutional management, sponsorship frameworks, sales activation, and market education. 'We recognise the importance of empowering our clients,' Fathalla added. 'Our role is not only to deliver commercial results but also to ensure organisations across the region are equipped with the knowledge to maintain sustainable growth in the long-term. It's an approach that builds resilient cultural economies.' Fathalla, a highly regarded cultural diplomacy advisor with more than 20 years of international expertise, previously led high-impact projects for major institutions including Expo 2020 Dubai, Brunswick Group, and the British Council, working closely with prestigious organisations such as the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, Christie's, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. With several significant projects underway across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, RISE's new practice is positioned to further strengthen the region's global cultural profile and drive sustained economic growth. For additional information on RISE's services, visit
Campaign ME
14-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
RISE launches Arts and Culture practice led by Rayyah Fathalla
RISE Group, an independent sports, culture and entertainment commercial agency, has launched a specialist Arts and Culture practice, headed by industry expert Rayyah Fathalla. RISE's dedicated team of arts and culture specialists will provide strategic and commercial advisory to a sector undergoing rapid evolution. The new practice will provide specialised services including asset valuations, commercial strategy development, institutional management, sponsorship frameworks, sales activations and market education. Fathalla said, 'Launching a dedicated Arts and Culture practice was a logical and timely progression for RISE. Our aim is to help cultural institutions and heritage sites realise their full potential by adopting commercial strategies that are both innovative and sustainable.' 'The region's cultural landscape is becoming increasingly sophisticated and plays a huge role in developing local communities, quality of life and tourism. Our niche industry knowledge and deep understanding of the MENA region enable us to provide market–leading solutions.' RISE Group – which services a client roster that includes Qiddiya, NEOM, Saudi Tourism Authority, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Savvy Games Group, Flynas, the Saudi Pro League (SPL), PepsiCo and Dubai Sports Council – has supported the commercialisation of groundbreaking cultural projects such as Riyadh Art, the Noor Riyadh festival, and the first Saudi Grand Opera. The agency has also delivered commercial projects for prominent clients, including the Ministry of Culture, the Heritage Commission, Diriyah Season, Qiddiya, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. 'We recognise the importance of empowering our clients,' Fathalla added. 'Our role is not only to deliver commercial results but also to ensure organisations across the region are equipped with the knowledge to maintain sustainable growth in the long-term. It's an approach that builds resilient cultural economies.' Fathalla is a cultural diplomacy advisor with more than 20 years of international expertise. She previously led high-impact projects for major institutions such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Brunswick Group and the British Council, working closely with prestigious organisations such as the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, Christie's, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. With several significant projects underway across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, RISE's new practice intends to further strengthen the region's global cultural profile and drive sustained economic growth.
Arab News
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Cheetah, lion and buffalo sculptures unveiled in Riyadh park
RIYADH: Striking animal sculptures were unveiled in Riyadh's Al-Nafal Park in the Diplomatic Quarter in a collaboration between Riyadh Art and Italian artist Davide Rivalta. The installation features depictions of a cheetah, lion, lioness and buffalo, and was created in partnership with the Italian Embassy. Under the theme, Echoes of Land, the sculptures encourage public engagement and contemplation of environmental and cultural heritage. Omar Al-Braik, senior director of public art at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said that the collaboration with Rivalta was an 'enriching process.' 'Art has the power to transform public spaces, spark conversations and connect people with their surroundings in ways that are both profound and unexpected,' he said. 'By bringing Rivalta's work to Riyadh, we continue to expand the city's artistic landscape, ensuring that diverse voices and creative perspectives are accessible to all.' This installation also brings attention to conservation efforts, particularly for species such as the cheetah, which once thrived in the Arabian Peninsula. By introducing these sculptures to Riyadh, Rivalta's work serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and natural ecosystems. Born in 1974, Davide Rivalta is renowned for his striking, life-sized sculptures of animals, distinguished by their raw, textured surfaces. Rivalta's sculptures have been exhibited in cities across the world, with this latest installation marking his first contribution to Riyadh Art's public art program. Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has installed in excess of 550 public artworks, engaged more than 500 local and international artists, and hosted 6,500 community engagement activities, attracting 9.6 million visitors and spectators. One significant initiative by Riyadh Art is the recent Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, in which 30 sculptures were created in live sessions, and will be displayed at public spaces around the city. The organization's efforts contribute to Saudi Vision 2030's goal of enhancing culture and creativity in the Kingdom.
Arab News
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium launches in Riyadh
RIYADH: The sixth annual Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium began in Riyadh on Wednesday with 30 works of art created during a live sculpting exhibition at Roshn Front last month. Held under the theme 'From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making,' the event runs until Feb. 24. The annual symposium brings together local and international artists, and includes a series of workshops, educational trips and interactive talks. Organizers have announced that all sculptures created during the event will become part of the permanent collection of Riyadh Art. These sculptures will be placed in prominent public spaces across the city, complementing the 35 sculptures from previous editions of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, which were installed at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center. Among the prominent additions to Riyadh Art's permanent collection are 'LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside)' by American artist Robert Indiana and 'Janey Waney' by American artist Alexander Calder, both located at the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station. Additionally, 'Sun' by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone was recently installed at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center. Riyadh Art is dedicated to installing more than 1,000 public artworks throughout the city as part of its efforts to enhance and diversify Riyadh's cultural landscape. The symposium showcases works created at Roshn Front during a live public sculpting phase which took place from Jan. 15-Feb. 8. The event featured artists from a range of backgrounds. Out of more than 750 applications from around the world, 30 artists from 23 countries were selected. The artists represent a wide range of sculptural traditions and contemporary practices, with each piece reflecting this year's theme. Sebastian Betancur-Montoya, curator of the 2025 Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, said: 'The exhibition is the culmination of weeks of dedication, artistic exchange and craftsmanship. 'These sculptures are not merely temporary installations; they are part of an ongoing cultural dialogue that connects history with modernity, contributing to the development of Riyadh's public art scene.' As part of the public engagement program for the live sculpting phase, which features group discussions, workshops, training sessions and guided tours, the exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to interact with the artists' creative processes and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of contemporary sculpture. Tuwaiq Sculpture is a key program within the Riyadh Grand Projects, an initiative launched by King Salman in 2019.
