Diriyah Biennale Foundation to launch year-round cultural agenda at JAX from September 2026

Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the launch of a new series of cultural programs at JAX District, beginning in September 2026. The monthly agenda will feature between six and eight events each month. These programs will coincide with major events hosted in the district, including the Creativity Summit, the PaperBack art book fair, and the XP Music Futures Conference. The initiative aims to give the public greater opportunities to engage with the district’s vibrant cultural and creative scene, offering ongoing chances for learning and exploration.

Cultural programming is a core part of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s mission, extending beyond biennale cycles to provide year-round spaces for learning, dialogue, and participation in the cultural sector. The agenda includes workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, and performance programs that bring together artists, researchers, practitioners, and audiences. These activities facilitate access to diverse cultural fields, offer practical creative skill development, and open new horizons for participants.

September will see the return of the monthly "Cultural Conversations" series, which invites guests from various fields to share topics of their choice with audiences in an interactive setting at the foundation’s permanent cultural programs building, inaugurated earlier this year. The schedule also features several workshops, including one led by artist Yasmina Hilal on September 18, focusing on welding basics and handmade picture frames, followed by a children’s workshop on September 19 exploring color transfer techniques for Polaroid images.

In October, programming will align with the Creativity Summit, set to take place at JAX District from October 3 to 5. As part of the agenda, Nora Al-Mashouq, Director of the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), and Graham Southern, former Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s, will participate in a session from the "How We Met" series. This dialogue explores the first encounters between prominent figures in art and culture, highlighting collaborations and friendships that have shaped their careers.

On October 21, the book "Turuq: Flavors and Pathways" will be launched, documenting the inaugural edition of the Cultural Programs’ Research Space initiative, held under the same title during the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah. The project brought together creative talents from the culinary and food arts. The book launch will be accompanied by an interactive experience curated by chefs Nahla Al-Tabbah and Augustine Parides, who will reinterpret highlights from the Research Space.

In November, publishing and printmaking will take center stage as the PaperBack art book fair returns for its third edition from November 5 to 7. Ahead of the fair, the Experimental Publishing Project and Visual Research Studio Fassar Al-Maa Bil-Maa will host an intensive riso printing course from November 1 to 4. The fair will also feature a series of workshops and panel discussions on alternative publishing methods, along with exclusive book launches, including a new release celebrating the city of Jeddah.

Additionally, the foundation, in collaboration with the Institute for Postnatural Studies, will offer two workshops and a public lecture exploring the relationship between humans, technology, and the environment through metaphysics, sound, and writing. The month will conclude with the XP Music Futures Conference at Beast House, where visitors can enjoy performances, listening sessions, and music workshops.

Commenting on the announcement, Sibel Vasquez, Director of Cultural Programs at Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said: “Through our cultural programs, we aim to provide a continuous space for learning and participation throughout the year, ensuring that public engagement with art and culture extends beyond exhibitions and biennales. These programs are a vital part of the broader cultural movement at JAX District and reflect the foundation’s commitment to fostering a creative environment that combines learning, practice, production, and collaboration year-round.”