A Cultural Renaissance in Saudi Arabia’s Ancient Desert

The AlUla Arts Scene

Desert X, AlUla

My time in AlUla was one of the formative experiences of my life. The landscape, the people, the culture, it entered my soul. It is one of a tiny handful of my happy places. It is a place where people I love live.

Nestled in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a region steeped in history, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, and ancient rock art dating back millennia. Once a vital hub on the incense trade route and a crossroads of cultural exchange, AlUla is undergoing a profound transformation as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the economy through cultural, tourism, and artistic development.

I was proud to play my part in this transformation, and proud to be a member of the teams I served in. I’m always caurious to write about the programs I’ve been involved deeply in. I usually take the lessons learned and use them as an analytical framework to apply to different cities, different programs, different projects. I do this out of respect to the companies and clients I’ve worked for, and not to inadvertently share something deemed to be sensitive or confidential.

The AlUla arts scene has emerged as a cornerstone of this regeneration. Initiatives like Desert X AlUla and artist residencies have been central to fostering a dynamic cultural ecosystem. I loved Desert X each time I visited. And the sensitivity of the artists residences has been inspiring. I loved the Andy Warhol exhibition at Maraya too and left with a bagful of merch.

This article explores the context of AlUla’s transformation, the role of art in its regeneration, and the significance of specific events such as Desert X AlUla and the AlUla Artist Residency program, illustrating how these efforts are reshaping the region into a global cultural destination.

I’ve done so based upon publicly available sources.

AlUla’s Transformation

AlUla’s transformation is driven by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), established in 2017 to safeguard and develop the region’s natural and cultural heritage (Royal Commission for AlUla, n.d.). Historically, AlUla was a thriving center of trade and culture, connecting ancient civilizations through the incense route and serving as the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms (Desert X, 2024).

Today, the RCU’s vision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030, which aims to reduce oil dependency by investing in tourism, culture, and education (Stirworld, 2024). AlUla’s archaeological sites, including Hegra, Jabal Ikmah’s rock inscriptions, and the labyrinthine Old Town, are being revitalized to attract global visitors while preserving their historical significance.

This transformation is not merely infrastructural but cultural, with art serving as a catalyst for reimagining AlUla as a “living museum” (The Art Newspaper, 2022). The region’s arts scene is being developed through partnerships, such as with the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula), to create a sustainable cultural ecosystem.

Initiatives like the AlUla Arts Festival and Wadi AlFann, a forthcoming permanent land art destination set to open in 2026, underscore AlUla’s ambition to become a global hub for creative expression (Experience AlUla, n.d.-a). These efforts are part of a broader strategy to foster cultural dialogue, engage local communities, and position AlUla as a destination that bridges ancient heritage with contemporary creativity.

One of the real treats of my time in AlUla was meeting all of the different people who contributed to this scene. Often it was out hiking or cycling where we could share stories and cement friendships.

The Role of Art in AlUla’s Regeneration

Art plays a pivotal role in AlUla’s regeneration by fostering cultural dialogue, enhancing community engagement, and driving economic diversification. The arts scene is designed to be inclusive, offering free public access to exhibitions and programs that educate and inspire both locals and international visitors (Desert X, 2024).

According to Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts and Creative Industries at RCU, AlUla values arts and creativity as “essential and transformative layers for enriching society, economy, and quality of life” (Desert X, 2022). This vision is evident in the integration of art with the region’s natural landscape, creating a synergy that amplifies AlUla’s unique identity.

Art also serves as a medium for cultural exchange, connecting Saudi artists with international counterparts and fostering cross-cultural narratives. Exhibitions like More than Meets the Eye, showcasing contemporary Saudi art, and artist residencies that bring global creatives to AlUla, highlight the region’s commitment to nurturing local talent while embracing global perspectives (Desert X, 2024).

Debbie Harry by Andy Warhol, Maraya, Ashar Valley, AlUla

Moreover, art initiatives contribute to economic growth by creating jobs, training local guides, and supporting skills development, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals (The Art Newspaper, 2022). By embedding art within the community, AlUla is cultivating a sense of pride and ownership among residents, ensuring that the cultural transformation is sustainable and inclusive.

Desert X AlUla: A Site-Responsive Art Exhibition

Desert X AlUla, a recurring, site-responsive international art exhibition, is a flagship event of the AlUla Arts Festival, which runs annually from February to March. Launched in 2020, Desert X AlUla is a collaboration between Desert X, a California-based not-for-profit, and the RCU, bringing contemporary artworks to AlUla’s dramatic desert landscape (Desert X, 2024). The exhibition’s third edition, held from February 9 to March 23, 2024, was curated by Maya El Khalil and Marcello Dantas under the theme “In the Presence of Absence,” challenging artists to explore the unseen and inexpressible elements of the desert (Selections Arts Magazine, 2024).

The 2024 edition featured 15 newly commissioned works by artists such as Sara Alissa, Bosco Sodi, Giuseppe Penone, and Kimsooja, installed across sites like Wadi AlFann, Harrat Uwayrid, and AlManshiyah Railway Station (Whitewall, 2024).

For example, Kimsooja’s To Breathe-AlUla used a prismatic spiral to harness desert light, creating a celestial atmosphere, while Giuseppe Penone’s The Logic of the Vegetal Metamorphosis explored the cyclical nature of life through fossilized tree trunks (Desert X, 2024). These works engage with AlUla’s landscape, history, and ecology, encouraging visitors to reflect on themes like time, migration, and environmental change.

Desert X AlUla is more than an exhibition; it is a platform for cultural dialogue. Curator Maya El Khalil noted that the region’s monumental scale inspired artists to “encounter the unseen aspects of the place with reverence,” addressing profound topics relevant to AlUla and the global community (Jing Daily Culture, 2024).

The exhibition’s public programs, including artist talks, workshops, and music events, further engage local communities, with initiatives like school visits and art workshops fostering education and participation (Desert X, 2024). By integrating art with AlUla’s natural and historical context, Desert X AlUla amplifies the region’s cultural significance and sets the stage for Wadi AlFann’s permanent land art project.

AlUla Artist Residency: Fostering Creative Exploration

The AlUla Artist Residency program, launched in 2021 by the RCU and Afalula, is another cornerstone of AlUla’s arts scene, offering artists a platform to engage with the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

The inaugural residency, themed “The Oasis Reborn,” invited six artists from Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, France, and Algeria to explore AlUla’s oasis regeneration over 11 weeks (Arab News, 2022). Artists like Rashed AlShashai, Sara Favriau, and Talin Hazbar created works that questioned the interplay between history, nature, and development, collaborating with local experts and communities (Afalula, 2021).

The 2023 residency, Palimpsest of Time: Explorations in Creative Practice, showcased the work of 26 artists across two venues, Madrasat Addeera and Mabiti, emphasizing interdisciplinarity and collaboration (Afalula, 2023). Works ranged from Augustine Paredes’ exploration of date cultivation to Monira Al Qadiri’s investigation of otherworldly encounters with nature, reflecting AlUla’s layered history (Afalula, 2023).

The 2024 residency exhibitions, The Shadow Over Everything and Unguessed Kinships, featured artists like Maitha Abdallah and Bahraini-Danish, whose interactive works at Mabiti Palm Grove and Madrasat Addeera engaged visitors with AlUla’s evolving cultural narrative (Time Out Riyadh, 2024).

These residencies foster dialogue between artists, archaeologists, and local practitioners, creating a vibrant cultural ecosystem. By providing a space for experimentation, the program encourages artists to reinterpret AlUla’s heritage, contributing to its regeneration as a creative hub (Afalula, 2021). The residencies also support community engagement through open studios and workshops, ensuring that art remains accessible and relevant to local residents.

For me it was visiting the galleries, hearing the enthusiasm of the curators, that brought things to life. And phone calls from friends filled with enthusiasm and awe after meeting the artists and getting involved in workshops.

Conclusion

AlUla’s arts scene is a testament to the transformative power of art in cultural and economic regeneration. Through initiatives like Desert X AlUla and the AlUla Artist Residency, the region is reimagining its ancient heritage as a dynamic platform for contemporary creativity. These events not only showcase Saudi and international talent but also foster cultural dialogue, community engagement, and sustainable development, aligning with Vision 2030’s ambitions.

As AlUla continues to evolve into a global cultural destination, its arts scene serves as a bridge between past and present, inviting the world to experience the profound beauty and unseen forces of this ancient desert landscape.

I love the place, and you will too.

References

Afalula. (2021, December 2). The first art residency program located at the heart of the oasis of AlUla unveiled today. Retrieved from https://www.afalula.com[](https://www.afalula.com/en/the-first-art-residency-program-located-at-the-heart-of-the-oasis-of-alula-unveiled-today/)

Afalula. (2023, March 2). AlUla Artist Residency presents Palimpsest of Time: Explorations in Creative Practice 17 February - 18 March 2023. Retrieved from https://www.afalula.com[](https://www.afalula.com/en/alula-artist-residency-presents-palimpsest-of-time-explorations-in-creative-practice-17-february-18-march-2023/)

Arab News. (2022, January 14). Six artists visually transform AlUla oasis for first art residency. Retrieved from https://www.arabnews.com[](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2004401/lifestyle)

Desert X. (2022, February 11). Second Edition of Desert X AlUla Will Open in February 2022. Retrieved from https://desertx.org[](https://desertx.org/learn/news/second-edition-of-desert-x-alula-will-open-in-february-2022)

Desert X. (2024, March 23). Desert X AlUla 2024 | February 9 - March 23. Retrieved from https://desertx.org[](https://desertx.org/learn/news/dxu2024)

Experience AlUla. (n.d.-a). AlUla Arts Festival. Retrieved from https://www.experiencealula.com[](https://www.experiencealula.com/en/whats-on/festivals/alula-arts-festival)

Experience AlUla. (n.d.-b). Desert X AlUla. Retrieved from https://www.experiencealula.com[](https://www.experiencealula.com/en/whats-on/events/desert-x)

Jing Daily Culture. (2024, February 9). Desert X AlUla Opens To Worldwide Acclaim. Retrieved from https://jingdailyculture.com[](https://jingdailyculture.com/desert-x-alula-2024-an-exploration-of-the-unseen-amidst-ancient-landscapes/)

Royal Commission for AlUla. (n.d.). About The Royal Commission for AlUla. Retrieved from https://www.rcu.gov.sa

Selections Arts Magazine. (2024, January 29). Desert X AlUla 2024. Retrieved from https://selectionsarts.com[](https://selectionsarts.com/desert-x-alula-2024/)

Stirworld. (2024, March 31). Desert X AlUla: A cultural renaissance in Saudi Arabia's ancient sands. Retrieved from https://www.stirworld.com[](https://www.stirworld.com/see-features-desert-x-alula-a-cultural-renaissance-in-saudi-arabias-ancient-sands)

The Art Newspaper. (2022, February 10). Accessible to all or elitist artwashing? Desert X opens second Saudi Arabia edition. Retrieved from https://www.theartnewspaper.com[](https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/02/10/desert-x-alula-saudi-arabia-2022-who-is-it-for)

Time Out Riyadh. (2024, February 15). AlUla Arts Festival 2024 opens with Desert X AlUla and two spectacular new exhibitions. Retrieved from https://www.timeoutriyadh.com[](https://www.timeoutriyadh.com/art/alula-arts-festival)

Whitewall. (2024, February 8). The Third Edition of Desert X AlUla Unveils the Unseen. Retrieved from https://whitewall.art[](https://whitewall.art/art/the-third-edition-of-desert-x-alula-unveils-the-unseen/)

Footnotes

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My latest book, Delivering Social Value in Urban Development, a collected series of essays, is published through Kindle Direct Publishing and available on most Amazon portals.

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