The call for creativity by Diriyah Art Futures has officially begun as the Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency invites visionary artists and scholars to dive into its inaugural residency season, themed High-Resolution Dreams of Sand. This is an opportunity for creatives within the art spectrum to engage deeply with the cultural and ecological narratives of Diriyah, a region rich in history and culture, where the past and future intertwine.
The 2025 residency theme focuses on the dynamic relationship between history and the future, as well as our connection with the natural world and technological advancements. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that reflect on Diriyah’s physical location—adjacent to its farms and to consider DAF as a location within Riyadh: a city in the process of being rewritten, in transition from digital renders to a new reality, encouraging speculations on ecologies emerging from contemporary contexts
and those that may be influenced by late capitalism and Gulf-futurism.
What the Residency Offers
Participants in the residency will benefit from a three-month residency at Diriyah Art Futures, including travel to Riyadh (if needed). The package comes with:
- Accommodation and Workspace: A supportive environment within Diriyah Art Futures, set against a backdrop of historical significance.
- Production Budget: Financial support for the realization of artistic projects, alongside collaborative assistance from the DAF production team.
- Access to Facilities: Utilization of media production labs, studios, and the DAF library to enhance the creative process.
- Showcase Opportunities: The chance to present work to a broader audience through exhibitions, publications, and artist monographs.
Who Can Apply
The residency is open to:
- New Media Artists: Established artists working across various media including sound, visual arts, computational methods, and more. Proposals should articulate the intended artwork and its connection to the residency theme.
- New Media Scholars: Writers and theorists focused on topics related to New Media, Digital Art, technology, and culture, particularly in the context of the MENA region. Scholars should outline their research intentions and how they will contribute to the residency theme.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- A detailed project proposal that aligns with the residency theme.
- A conceptual framework and intended outcomes for their work.
- A production timeline and budget.
- A portfolio of previous work and a biography or CV.
Important Dates
The deadline for applications is January 20, 2025. The residency will take place over three months, launching in Spring 2025.
This is an exciting opportunity for artists and scholars looking to explore and expand their practice within a supportive and innovative environment. The Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency at Diriyah Art Futures promises to be a transformative experience for all participants.
ABOUT DIRIYAH ART FUTURES
Diriyah Art Futures is an arts, research and educational center driven by a belief in the power of interdisciplinary creative practice at the intersection of art, science, and technology.
Initiated by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Diriyah Gate Development Company (DGCL), the center is a home for New Media Arts and a location for collaboration, speculation and production by creative communities from across the globe for research, documentation, and new work. Within the landscape of the Arabian Peninsula, Middle East and the North Africa, Diriyah Art Futures invites participation in upcoming public activities, educational programming, artistic and research residencies, and grant opportunities. Diriyah Art Futures will bridge the gap between the MENA region and the globe, amplifying the voice of the region in its engagement with art, science, and technology.
Set in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al-Diriyah, Diriyah Art Futures reflects the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to preserving the country’s unique heritage while playing a pioneering role in developing and leading new art practices that will shape the future of art and humanity.
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