The fifth edition of the Ithra Art Prize is now open for submissions
The Ithra Art Prize 2023 is inviting contemporary artists from or based in the Arab world to enter, and is open for submissions until 1 April
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In partnership with Ithra
The Saudi art community is calling it ‘an escape from the Dark Ages’ – a local art scene that is burgeoning with creativity, diversity and infrastructural growth.
Riyadh Art, Saudi’s first national public art initiative, is set to transform the city into a gallery without walls and a creative powerhouse for the digital age, while art fairs like the Desert X AlUla biennial are attracting international interest from renowned dealers and collectors. By 2035, the Saudi city of AlUla will be home to 15 landmark destinations for culture, heritage and creativity – museums, galleries, research centres and arts districts – while new galleries continue to emerge in the larger cities of Medina and Jeddah.
Mēm, by Ayman Zedani, winner of the first Ithra Art Prize, in 2018
Inspired by Saudi’s expanding artistic development and a new generation of Saudi talent creating work that speaks directly to a young and culturally open-minded population, Ithra (aka the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, in Dhahran) invites contemporary artists from or based in the Arab world to enter the Ithra Art Prize.
Now in its fifth iteration, the Ithra Art Prize is open to established contemporary artists and art collectives from the 22 Arab countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen). International artists who have lived in these countries for at least ten years are also eligible to apply.
The winner, who will receive $100,000 to bring their proposed artistic vision to life, will be announced on 15 May, and the 2023 winning artwork will be unveiled as part of Ithra’s fifth anniversary celebrations in June.
Launched in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize was presented in collaboration with Art Dubai for its first three editions. The fourth edition’s winning artwork was unveiled with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation at the kingdom’s inaugural biennale.
‘The Ithra Art Prize reaffirms Ithra’s commitment to developing the creative industries in the kingdom, the region and the wider world,’ said Farah Abushullaih, head of museum at Ithra. ‘As one of the largest art grants internationally, we support artists from and based in the Arab world to develop important and meaningful work. The Ithra Art Prize aims to inspire creative thought, broaden cultural horizons and enable talent while empowering the art ecosystem.’
Ithra, aka the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture
UAE-based artist Ayman Zedani was the prize’s inaugural winner with his spatial installation Mēm, while London-based Daniah Al Saleh won the second edition for Sawtam – a digital, audio-visual presentation based on the phonemes of the Arabic language. Saudi-based Fahad bin Naif won the third edition for his installation Rakhm, meaning ‘incubation’, and Berlin-based Tunisian-Ukrainian artist Nadia Kaabi-Linke won the fourth edition for E Pluribus Unum – A Modern Fossil, which reflects on the how the pandemic has affected the travel industry and how humanity measures progress and economic growth.
For more information on Ithra and how to apply, visit ithra.com (opens in new tab). The competition closes on 1 April 2023.
-
London architecture exhibitions 2023: a guide to the best shows this month
Exciting, beautiful and thought-provoking London architecture exhibitions; here's our pick of the finest in town, to visit and enjoy this month
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Ai Weiwei's largest-ever Lego artwork revealed at London’s Design Museum
At London’s Design Museum, Ai Weiwei has unveiled Water Lilies #1, a new Lego recreation of Claude Monet’s iconic painting. We explore the vast new work ahead of the Chinese artist’s major show at the museum, opening on 7 April 2023
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
These Jacob Cohën jeans are entirely compostable
‘From nature, to nature,’ goes the tagline for Jacob Cohën’s ‘Endless Luxury’ collection, which is the latest innovation in the Italian denim brand’s pursuit of sustainable design solutions
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Photo book explores the messy, magical mundanity of new motherhood
‘Sorry I Gave Birth I Disappeared But Now I’m Back’ by photographer Andi Galdi Vinko explores new motherhood in all its messy, beautiful reality
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
New York art exhibitions: what to see in 2023
Stay up-to-date with our ongoing guide to the best New York art exhibitions 2023 for your diary
By Tilly Macalister-Smith • Published
-
American avant-garde artist Senga Nengudi receives top billing at last
We explore the work of American artist Senga Nengudi, who has just opened two major shows in New York, and will be awarded the Nasher Prize for Sculpture 2023 in April
By MZ Adnan • Published
-
Julian Opie on VR, shuffle dancing and obsessive art collecting
Artist Julian Opie reflects on life, work and turning London’s Lisson Gallery into a playground of VR. We explore his new show and peek behind the scenes of his London studio
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
The best London art exhibitions: a guide for March 2023
Your guide to the best London art exhibitions, and those around the UK in March 2023, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
By Harriet Lloyd Smith • Published
-
The best photography books for your coffee table
Flick through, mull over and deep-dive into the best photography books on the market, from our shelves to you
By Sophie Gladstone • Published
-
Enter the mesmerising, AI-driven world of artist Refik Anadol
Refik Anadol’s masterly use of data sets and AI models allows him to create dazzling ‘living paintings’, on display in MoMA’s Gund Lobby until 5 March 2023
By TF Chan • Published
-
As David Hockney’s immersive art show in London opens, here’s what to expect
‘David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’ is now open at London’s Lightroom (until 4 June 2023)
By TF Chan • Published