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FAQ
What is Riyadh Art?
Riyadh Art is one of the four grand projects launched by His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on March 19, 2019. The project is under the supervision of the Grand Projects Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).
RCRC seeks to transform the capital into a gallery without walls, a creative powerhouse for the digital age and a sustainable city that offers the highest standards of livability and lifestyle, in alignement with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
Comprising more than 1,000 public art installations and accompanied by two grand annual festivals, the project brings artworks and landmarks created by local and international artists to residential neighborhoods, gardens and parks, squares and public areas, metro and bus stations, bridges and pedestrian pathways, city entrances, and tourist destinations in the city.
What is Tuwaiq Sculpture?
Tuwaiq Sculpture is an international sculpture symposium under Riyadh Art, one of the largest public art projects in the world today. Since its inception in 2019, Tuwaiq Sculpture has engaged over 120 internationally renowned sculptors and attracted thousands of visitors.
In 2026, the 7th edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture will host local and international sculptors from around the world, who will come together to create original sculptures that will become a permanent part of Riyadh’s urban fabric.
What is the aim of Tuwaiq Sculpture?
The symposium promotes new dialogues in line with Riyadh Art’s vision and creates cultural platforms where local and international artists meet, collaborate, exchange culture, and contribute to enriching the global art scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
What is the significance of the name “Tuwaiq”?
Tuwaiq Mountain (Jabal Tuwaiq) is a large series of natural rock and cliff formations located in Saudi Arabia. It is considered a masterpiece in its form, containing many types of rocks, and is thus viewed as a natural sculpture in itself. Tuwaiq is one of the world’s most prominent geographical landmarks and has been featured by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as a symbol of the strength and perseverance of the Saudi spirit.
What is the theme of the 7th edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture?
The curatorial theme for Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 is:
What public engagement activities will be included in the 7th edition program?
More information on workshops, school visits, and panel discussions will be announced in the near future on Riyadh Art’s official website and social media platforms.
Who can apply to take part in Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026?
Artists from all over the world are welcome to submit their applications to the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium. To apply, artists must have at least 5 years of experience in sculpting and exhibiting works, either permanently or temporarily, in outdoor spaces and galleries. If you have participated in previous editions, priority in the 6th edition will be given to applicants who have not been previously selected
How many artists participated in the previous editions of the symposium?
- The 1st Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium was inaugurated at Tuwaiq Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter in 2019, featuring 23 sculptors, including 3 Saudi artists and 20 international sculptors.
- The 2nd edition of the symposium, launched in 2020, featured 20 sculptors, including 2 Saudi and 18 international artists. The artists created sculptures in the Diplomatic Quarter, inspired by the famous Jabal Tuwaiq.
- The 3rd edition, held in 2021, featured 20 sculptors, including 4 Saudi artists and 16 international artists. It was held in the JAX District of Riyadh.
- The 4th edition took place in 2023, featuring 30 sculptors, including 8 Saudi artists and 22 international artists. It was held in Durrat Al Riyadh.
- The 5th edition, held in Roshn Front in 2024, featured 30 artists from 20 countries, including 10 Saudi and 20 international artists.
- The 6th edition, held in Roshn Front in 20245, featured 30 artists from 13 countries, including 7 Saudi and 23 international artists.
How many artists will participate in Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026?
Thirty artists will be invited to participate in the 7th edition of the Tuwaiq Symposium.
Will there be an artist fee or a prize for participating in the 7th Tuwaiq Sculpture?
All selected artists will receive an artist fee of SAR 37,500 for their participation in the symposium. The service provider will pay the fee within 30 business days of the closing of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Exhibition 2026, following the required working conditions. However, if the artist is unable to complete the sculpture for any reason, the fee will not be paid.
Will travel expenses be covered?
The following will be provided for each participating artist:
- Roundtrip economy flight ticket (including 2 checked bags).
- Visa.
- Ground transportation to and from the airport, as well as between the hotel and the symposium site.
- Hotel accommodation and meals (three meals a day).
How many sculpture proposals can I submit?
Artists are invited to submit proposals for either one or two sculptures. If selected, artists will be informed which sculpture proposal was chosen by the Jury Panel.
Can I propose a sculpture I already created?
Only proposals for new, original artworks are eligible.
If selected, how many sculptures can I create?
Each selected artist is expected to create one sculpture.
What kind of stones will the artists be sculpting?
Artists will select the Granite colours from the following: Royal Rose, Royal Gold, and Green; they also have the option to incorporate Black Basalt in their sculptures. Artists are encouraged to work with more than one colour. Each artist will be supplied with approximately 6 cubic meters of granite, which should be used for both the sculpture and its base.
What are the stone dimensions?
Artists will define the exact measurements for how the stones should be cut, following the guidelines and parameters below:
- Granite (Royal Rose, Royal Gold, Green Granite): 300 (h) x 200 (l) x 100 (d) cm. Black
- Basalt (*): 200 (h) x 100 (l) x 80 (d) cm.
What tools will be provided?
All the tools and equipment provided by the organizers are outlined in the open call document. However, artists may bring their own tools (including cutting, polishing, and air tools) if they require them for their own technical and creative needs.
Will the artists have assistants?
Riyadh Art will provide one professional assistant per artist onsite to support them. Artists are not allowed to select their own assistants, and the assistants will rotate between artists depending on the specific tools and progress in sculpting. The management and rotation of assistants, as well as the allocation of additional assistants (more than one per artist), remain at the discretion of the curator, associate curator, and the artist assistant’s manager. Artists are prohibited from privately financing assistants and other team members.
What are the selection criteria?
uwaiq Sculpture ensures a fair, transparent, and efficient process to select artists’ submissions. The selection process will be conducted by the Tuwaiq Sculpture Jury Panel and is based on the following six criteria:
- Artist Experience: Artist participation in previous symposia, education, and exhibition history.
- Concept Presentation: Artist demonstrates important and contextually relevant aspects of the sculpture proposal.
- Relevance: Artist demonstrates a clear understanding and creative interpretation of the theme and proposes a sculpture relevant to public space.
- Artist Approach: Artist demonstrates a distinct use of the medium with a strong integration of elements and principles of sculpture design.
- Originality: Artist proposes a unique and distinct artwork.
- Technique and Style: Artist demonstrates their own technique, style, and methods of using rough or soft surfaces in the finishing of the work, with clear evidence of great attention to detail.
Will there be a priority for anyone applying to Tuwaiq Sculpture?
Priority will be given to high-quality proposals by artists who have not participated in previous editions of Tuwaiq Sculpture.
Can I ask the Jury Panel for feedback?
Unfortunately, due to the expected volume of submissions, no feedback will be provided to unsuccessful applicants. All decisions by the Jury Panel are final.
Once I have filled out the application online, can I change or add more files or renders of my work?
If you have already submitted your application and would like to send additional documents, please send an email with your full personal information to:
[email protected]
If I have a proposal for a workshop or a panel discussion for Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025, who do I contact?
If you would like to propose a workshop or a subject for a panel discussion, please outline your proposal in the “Additional Information” section of your submission. Once you submit, please also send an email outlining your workshop and/or panel discussion proposal to: [email protected]
Please use the following subject line: “[Full Name] - Tuwaiq Sculpture - Workshop/Discussion.”
When is the deadline for submissions?
Applications are accepted until 8 September, 2025.
The names of the selected participants will be announced at the end of September 2024.
The names of the selected participants will be announced at the end of September 2025.
When and where is Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 taking place?
The Symposium will be held from 15 January to 8 February, 2026 (Saturday, 8 February will be the last working day for artists), and the exhibition will be held from 12 February to 24 February, 2026.
Artists are expected to arrive in Riyadh on 12 January and depart by 12 February, 2026. They are also expected to work throughout the symposium and attend and participate in the exhibition’s opening.
Is the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium open to the public?
As art is for everyone, entry will be free of charge for all visitors. Reservations and ticketing can be made through the Riyadh Art website during the symposium period.
Where will the post-symposium exhibition take place?
The sculptures will be displayed at the symposium’s location in Riyadh Front during the exhibition period.
Where will the sculptures be relocated?
Following the exhibition, the sculptures will enrich the Riyadh Art collection and later become a permanent feature of the Saudi capital’s urban fabric. The exact relocation site of each sculpture will be announced in due course.
Who should I contact if I have any further questions?
If you have a specific question that is not answered within these FAQs, please contact [email protected]