Diriyah Art Futures Invites Applications For Second Emerging New Media Artists Programme Launching In October 2025

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the first New Media Arts hub in the MENA region, is inviting applications for its second Emerging New Media Artists program. This initiative, beginning in October 2025, is a collaboration with Le Fresnoy - Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France. The program offers participants access to advanced equipment, a production budget, and mentorship from renowned international artists.

The one-year program kicks off with three months of thematic and conceptual explorations. These sessions are led by artists and theorists through seminars, lectures, screenings, and workshops. Participants will then create new artworks under the guidance of leading artists and scholars. They will utilise DAF’s state-of-the-art facilities, which include advanced audio-visual techniques, immersive reality, coding, sensing, machine learning, and spatial audio-visual environments.

The final artworks produced during the program will be showcased at DAF. This exhibition represents the curated and juried outcome of the participants' efforts throughout the year. The program aims to nurture emerging talent by providing them with resources and mentorship to develop their skills in new media and digital art.

Applicants must be 35 years or younger and should have completed graduate or postgraduate studies. Experience in developing New Media and Digital Art is essential for candidates wishing to apply. More details about the selection criteria can be found on DAF's website.

The inaugural edition of this program coincided with the opening of DAF at Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first cohort included 12 emerging artists from 11 countries, with significant representation from Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.

This initiative highlights DAF's commitment to fostering creativity in new media arts within the region. By collaborating with international institutions like Le Fresnoy, DAF provides a platform for young artists to explore innovative artistic expressions.

With inputs from SPA