São Paulo – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture announced on Monday (20) the launch of the second edition of the “Art Residency Program | Al Balad.” Focused on visual artists, the program will take place in the historical district of Jeddah, one of the largest cities in the Gulf state. Candidates interested in participating can apply through the dedicated link from December 20, 2021, until January 10, 2022. Pictured above, multicolored modern art columns in Saudi Arabia.
The project is part of the “Art Residency” initiative; it is sponsored by the Quality-of-Life Program included in the Vision 2030, a program for the development and economic diversification of Saudi Arabia. The participants will be selected through an evaluation process that will be carried out by a committee composed of experts and specialists in the field of the visual arts. The program will start in 2022 and include four residency cycles, each of which lasts six weeks.
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The first cycle will take place from March 3 to April 14; the second cycle will take place from May 15 to June 23; the third cycle will take place from July 21 to September 1; the last cycle will take place from September 18 to October 30. Each residency cycle will include six residents from Saudi Arabia and three international residents.
The program is intended for local and international emerging and mid-career artists, curators, and writers in the field of visual arts. The idea is creating a collaborative exchange model between the artists.
Along with studio space, the residency includes a stipend to cover living expenses, accommodation in a shared, and travel costs. Additionally, artists are allowed to apply for a production grant to cover art supplies and other costs connected to the realization of their project.
Applications must include information about past professional experiences, interests and creative practices. The professionals must also state the motivation for applying for the program.
The residences will be in the historical building Rubat Al Khunji, in the heart of the old district of Jeddah. The building, which was built in 1813 AD, is recognized as one of the historical buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After it underwent a major renovation commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, it started hosting a number of cultural events.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
