Diriyah Art Futures has announced the launch of its first-ever Art Futures Camp in Riyadh, introducing a new summer programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of digital artists in Saudi Arabia. The initiative reflects the growing focus on creative technology and new media arts within the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving cultural sector.
The three-week camp will run from June 28 to July 16 at the Diriyah Art Futures campus in Riyadh and is designed specifically for Arabic-speaking teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18. According to organisers, the inaugural edition will welcome 14 participants for an immersive educational experience centred around digital art, photography, animation, sound design and fabrication technologies.
The programme is built around the theme of “Digital Art and Portraiture,” exploring how identity is shaped and represented in a world increasingly influenced by technology, online communication and digital imagery. Rather than approaching the topic through traditional classroom learning, the camp focuses on practical experimentation and collaborative creative work.
Participants will gain hands-on experience using advanced creative tools including laser cutting, 3D printing, electronic circuits, digital photography equipment, motion graphics software and sound synthesis technologies. Workshops will be led by specialists working across contemporary art and technology disciplines, giving students exposure to professional creative environments at an early stage.
The final week of the programme will see students collaborate with DAF’s curatorial and exhibition teams to produce a showcase of their work for family members and invited guests. Organisers say the exhibition element is intended to help participants understand not only artistic creation but also the broader process of presenting and curating digital art experiences.
The launch of Art Futures Camp comes as Diriyah Art Futures continues expanding its role within Saudi Arabia’s contemporary arts ecosystem. Established by the Saudi Museums Commission under the Ministry of Culture, DAF is positioned as the first dedicated new media arts hub in the Middle East and North Africa. The centre focuses on the intersection of art, science and technology through exhibitions, research programmes, residencies and educational initiatives.
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah, the 12,000-square-metre campus was designed to function as a hybrid space combining laboratories, exhibition halls and learning facilities. Since opening, DAF has hosted programmes exploring artificial intelligence, immersive media and digital storytelling while also supporting emerging artists across the region.
Applications for the camp are currently open until June 7, with selected participants expected to be notified later in the month. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio showcasing their creative interests and commit to attending the full programme in Riyadh.
The launch of Art Futures Camp signals another step in Saudi Arabia’s wider push to invest in creative industries and cultural education as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 transformation strategy.