Misk Art Institute

Misk Art Institute is a new artist-centered cultural organization operating under the auspices of the Misk Foundation, established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Led by Saudi artist Ahmed Mater, the Institute was established in 2017 to encourage grassroots artistic production in Saudi Arabia, nurture the appreciation of Saudi and Arab art and enable international cultural diplomacy and exchange. Within the context of new cultural conversations, it supports Saudi’s creative community to produce work and develop their practice, strengthening platforms for exposure within and beyond the kingdom.

Its headquarters are in Riyadh, where it will open a major cultural center in 2020, with exhibition spaces and artist studios. In Abha, it will establish an artist-residency and studio center, keeping alive the Al-Miftaha Arts Village. In 2018, Misk Art Institute became the commissioner of the permanent National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia at La Biennale di Venezia, Saudi’s permanent home at the world’s most important cultural gathering.