AlUla To House A Jaw-Dropping Contemporary Art Museum

Art fanatics, this one is for you. AlUla, the sprawl of sandstone valleys and mountains cradling Saudi Arabia’s cultural ambitions, will soon welcome another high-profile project to its landscape: a contemporary art museum in collaboration with Centre Pompidou.

A new milestone for #AlUla’s growing creative ecosystem. Global cross-cultural connections and collaboration sit at the heart of our creative strength, and through our partnership with @CentrePompidou we continue our transformation as a dynamic arts and cultural hub. pic.twitter.com/P9oVJxd0up

— الهيئة الملكية لمحافظة العلا (@RCU_SA) March 13, 2023

Centre Pompidou boasts one of the most extensive collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, located in the heart of Paris. It has multiple locations including Brussels, Jersey City, Malaga and Shangai. The Pompidou will provide scientific and technical expertise in training staff, particularly in conservation, collection management, and mediation.

Nora Aldabal, Arts AlUla Executive Director, Royal Commission for AlUla considered this collaboration a very influential step in the aim of empowering the thriving community of local artists.

The contemporary art museum will house regional and international artworks from the 21st century. It will display incredible art originating from South Asian and North African diasporas. It will also include a wide range of displays, exhibitions, and commissions.

Furthermore, AlUla’s contemporary art museum will be an architectural landmark of its own. The architect expected to design this masterpiece is the Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh.

While the exact opening date hasn’t been specified yet, it is expected between 2027 and 2028.