Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Visual Arts Commission (VAC) announced the launch of the Art Bridges 2025–2026 Cultural Trips initiative, starting in September. The first program, in collaboration with the British Council, will take place in Scotland from September 22 to 27, 2025. Additional programs will be held in Japan from October 31 to November 7; South Korea from November 19 to 27; and Spain from March 2 to 9, 2026.

Applications for these three programs opened on Wednesday. The application window for Japan will close on August 21, while applications for Korea and Spain will remain open until August 31. The initiative features four distinguished programs designed to advance professional development and international cultural exchange for Saudi and Saudi-based visual artists, cultural practitioners, creative professionals, and cultural producers. The programs will be implemented across four international destinations, underscoring the commission’s commitment to professional development, global connectivity, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

The commission CEO Dina Amin said that these professional programs offer Saudi and Saudi-based cultural practitioners a unique opportunity to share their creative voices with the world, reflecting the depth and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s artistic landscape.

Each Art Bridges program is tailored to the distinctive cultural and creative context of its destination, incorporating engagement with thought-leaders, leading cultural centers, museums, galleries, and artists’ studios. Participants will engage in workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and dialogues with prominent figures from the local art scenes, fostering meaningful exchange and strengthening professional expertise.

Thematic focuses for the 2025–2026 programs include: Japan—Art and the Environment: Exploring how artists and art practitioners respond to natural, urban, and traditional surroundings through material, scale, and site; South Korea—Identity through Art and Community: Examining grassroots cultural movements, artist-led spaces, and collaborative platforms; Spain—Heritage and Collectivism: Highlighting how collective practice, heritage, and social purpose converge in both contemporary and historic cultural spaces.

Applicants must be over 21 years of age, possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in their field, and present a strong portfolio demonstrating their contributions to the cultural sector. Proficiency in English and full commitment to the program schedule are mandatory. The full criteria are detailed in the application form.

The Art Bridges initiative represents a cornerstone of the Visual Arts Commission’s mission to expand Saudi Arabia’s cultural voice on the global stage, cultivate sustainable creative ecosystems, and build enduring international partnerships.