Five artists shortlisted for seventh Ithra Art Prize

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announces the five shortlisted artists for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, which celebrates artists from or based in the 22 Arab countries, one of the most established art awards in the Middle East and the Arab region. The Prize aims to support artists, encourage innovation, and strengthen dialogue across the Arab world.

The current edition of the Ithra Art Prize marks an expansion compared to previous years, as the jury will award production grants to the five shortlisted artists, whose works will be presented in a dedicated exhibition at Ithra in spring 2026. This exhibition introduces a new phase for the Prize by returning it to its home in Dhahran after touring several cities, including Dubai, AlUla, and Riyadh.

Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra’s Museum, said: “The development and expansion of the Ithra Art Prize since its launch have established it as an important platform for artistic expression. This year’s shortlist reflects the incredible diversity, creativity, and critical thought shaping contemporary art in the Arab world. Expanding the shortlist to include five finalists aims to strengthen dialogue across cultures and generations, while reaffirming Ithra’s support for artists and their distinct artistic perspectives.”

In addition, Sara Alomran has joined Ithra as an Advisor focusing on the Ithra Art Prize, guiding its strategic direction and shaping its future trajectory. Working closely with the team, she has developed the Prize’s ambitions, approach, and format through a research-driven process grounded in dialogue with former jurors, previous winners, and regional peers. Previously, Sara served as Deputy Director of Art Jameel, where she oversaw the development of key cultural initiatives, including Hayy Jameel, Jeddah’s first dedicated cultural complex and creative hub, and brings extensive experience across the Kingdom’s and the wider region’s creative landscape.

The open call received more than 500 artistic submissions, which underwent an initial review process before a selected group of works was evaluated by the jury. Based on this process, the jury shortlisted five artworks offering diverse artistic approaches rooted in contemporary questions, critical engagement with reality, and research- and experimentation-based practices.

The shortlisted artists are: Aseel AlYaqoub, Kuwait / Bady Dalloul, Syria / Heba Y. Amin, Egypt / Ala Younis, Jordan / Jawad Al Malhi, Palestine.

The shortlist was selected by an international jury composed of art experts representing diverse backgrounds across curatorial practice, academia, and artistic production. The IAP7 Jury includes Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra’s Museum; Tarek Abou El Fetouh, Independent Curator, Artistic Director, and member of the artistic team of Dream City Festival; Dr. Nada Shabout, Art Historian, Professor of Art History, and Director of the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Cultural Studies Institute at the University of North Texas; Jérôme Sans, Curator, Artistic Director, and Co-founder of Palais de Tokyo; and Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Artist and winner of the fourth edition of the Ithra Art Prize.

As part of the long-term impact of the Ithra Art Prize, winning artworks from each edition join the Ithra Collection as part of documenting contemporary artistic practices in the Kingdom. The most recent winner, Palms in Eternal Embrace by Saudi artist Obaid Alsafi, recipient of the 6th edition in 2024, was featured in the Baseqat: The Palm Tree Exhibition in the Great Hall at Ithra.