Diriyah: Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), a new media arts hub in Saudi Arabia, has announced the 18 successful applicants for the second edition of its Emerging New Media Artists Program. This program, set to run from November 2025 to September 2026, features a diverse group of artists representing a broad range of creative practices and backgrounds, with strong representation from Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the year-long program provides participants with access to professional facilities, a production budget, opportunities to learn from international guest professors specializing in new media art, and personal mentorships from prominent international digital artists. The program will culminate in CONTINUUM, an annual exhibition showcasing the works created by the participants.
The second group of Emerging New Media Artists includes Fai Ahmed from Saudi Arabia, who explores collective memory and the politics of technology; Njood Albawardi, another Saudi artist working with immersive technologies to examine identity and presence; and the Hong Kong duo Foreseen - Pat Wong and Kachi Chen, who create XR installations critiquing data capitalism. Other participants include Harpreet Sareen from India, Gabriela Itzel Reyes Jasso from Mexico, and Hiba Nusrat Ali from the USA, each bringing unique perspectives to the program.
The program is a collaboration with Le Fresnoy - Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France and is part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture's initiative to enhance creativity in art, technology, and academia. Situated in Diriyah, home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, DAF aims to position Riyadh as a global hub for new media art by nurturing the next generation of artists and scholars.