Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission will host the Intermix Residency Open Studio from July 28 to 30, 2026, at JAX District in Diriyah, offering visitors an immersive opportunity to explore artists’ workspaces, discover developing projects and interact directly with participating artists and curators.
The event marks the culmination of the second edition of Riyadh’s three-month Art Residency program, which brought together 14 artists from six countries: Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Serbia, China, Japan and Palestine.
Three Months of Artistic Research and Experimentation
Throughout the residency, participating artists explored new creative directions through research, experimentation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
The process resulted in original projects spanning a broad range of artistic practices and disciplines.
Rather than functioning solely as a conventional exhibition, the open studio gives visitors access to the creative process itself, allowing them to see projects while ideas and artistic approaches are still developing.
Workshops, Performances and Public Discussions
Visitors will be able to explore artists’ workspaces and engage directly with both artists and curators through a public program featuring performances, workshops, discussions and conversations.
The format offers audiences a closer look at how contemporary artworks evolve from research and experimentation into developed creative projects.
Saudi Cultural Institutions Support the Program
The residency is supported by contributions from several Saudi cultural and knowledge institutions, including Diriyah Art Futures, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, the King Fahd National Library and the National Museum.
Their participation is designed to enrich the residency experience while encouraging exchanges of knowledge, expertise and creative perspectives.
Connecting Saudi Arabia’s Art Scene With Global Networks
Intermix Residency is a key initiative of the Visual Arts Commission focused on supporting artistic practice, encouraging knowledge exchange and creating an environment in which artists can research, experiment and develop new work.
The initiative also strengthens connections between Saudi Arabia’s expanding visual arts ecosystem and regional and international artistic networks.
Hosting the open studio at JAX District further highlights Diriyah’s growing role as a hub for contemporary art and creative activity in the Kingdom, supporting the broader development of Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
