Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 Sets January Opening with Expanded International Curatorial Team
The third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is set to commence on 30 January 2026, with Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed at the helm as artistic directors. A broadened curatorial team, rich in diverse skills spanning music, architecture, performance, and critical theory, has been assembled. Joining the team are Maan Abu Taleb, the founding editor of Ma3azef, Dubai artist Lantian Xie, New York curator May Makki, and independent curator Kabelo Malatsie from Cape Town. Sammy Zarka, an architect from Milan, will take on the role of Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer. Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, highlighted the team's varied backgrounds, which aim to foster new connections for artists and audiences in Saudi Arabia.
Key facts
- Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale third edition opens 30 January 2026
- Artistic directors are Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed
- Curatorial team includes Maan Abu Taleb, Lantian Xie, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie
- Sammy Zarka is Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer
- Team expertise spans music, architecture, performance, critical theory
- Aya Al-Bakree is CEO of Diriyah Biennale Foundation
- Biennale aims to expand contemporary art dialogue across borders
- Foundation announced expanded team and opening date
Entities
Artists
- Nora Razian
- Sabih Ahmed
- Maan Abu Taleb
- Lantian Xie
- May Makki
- Kabelo Malatsie
- Sammy Zarka
- Aya Al-Bakree
Institutions
- Diriyah Biennale Foundation
- Ma3azef
- Kunsthalle Bern
Locations
- Diriyah
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- New York
- United States
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Milan
- Italy
- Saudi Arabia