The Visual Arts Commission reviewed the most prominent programs and initiatives achieved during the year that contributed to supporting the visual arts sector and enhancing the presence of practitioners from the Kingdom locally and internationally.

During the year, the Commission's exhibitions, programs, and initiatives attracted more than 33,100 visitors, most notably the exhibition "Sirah wa Masirah" which highlighted the artistic legacy of pioneering Saudi artist Saad Al-Obaid, as well as the Riyadh Art Week, which brought together artists, galleries, cultural institutions, and the public through a diverse program of exhibitions and events.

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The Commission also organized the third edition of the "Kingdom Photography Award," which was accompanied by the exhibitions "When the Fog Whispers" and "Hayy Aynak" in Jeddah's Hayy Jameel, before the "Hayy Aynak" exhibition moved to the "Abbazia" building in Venice, Italy, presenting examples of contemporary Saudi photography to an international audience.

Saudi Cultural Year

The year also saw the holding of the exhibition "Ahmed Mater: The Aerial" in Shanghai as part of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, as part of the Commission's efforts to enhance cultural exchange and highlight Saudi visual arts on international platforms. More than 380 artists, curators, and practitioners benefited from the programs and initiatives offered by the Commission, out of more than 1,920 applications received through open calls. These programs included "Liqa Residency," "Mentorship and Artistic Guidance Program," "Art Bridges," and "Zawaya wa Afkar," as well as a series of open dialogues that contributed to supporting knowledge exchange, professional development, and international cooperation.

Visual Arts Activation

The Commission also implemented more than 160 visual arts activations in various regions of the Kingdom, along with cultural exchange programs, artistic residencies, and participation in a number of international exhibitions and events, which contributed to enhancing connectivity and growth within the visual arts ecosystem. Based on the achievements of 2025, the Commission continues during 2026 to develop its programs and initiatives to support the visual arts sector, empower practitioners, expand opportunities for cultural exchange, and enhance the presence of Saudi visual arts regionally and internationally, contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global destination for culture and creativity. For more details, please visit the Visual Arts Commission website.