AlUla's commitment to fostering a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem transported the city to France last month, with the debut of the exhibition ‘Orbis Tertius: A Journey Between Fictions and Myths’ during Art Basel Paris.

The exhibition, held from 15th to 20th October, presented a powerful collection of works from 20 international artists who participated in the AlUla Artist Residency Programme, drawing inspiration from the Saudi city’s ancient landscapes and rich cultural heritage to produce unique works.

AlUla’s artistic ambition sits at the intersection of past, present, and future - and key to this is the AlUla Artist Residency Programme. 

Established in 2021 by Arts AlUla and AFALULA, the Programme is a cornerstone of AlUla’s vision to establish itself as a regional and global hub for unbridled creativity and talent. 

The Programme acts as a catalyst for the development of artistic practice, leveraging artists’ perceptions and critical perspectives while providing them with the time and space within an inspirational natural and rich historic setting. 

During the course of their residency in AlUla, artists delve into questions of cultural connection, environmental responsibility, and the integration of local traditions into contemporary practice, drawing inspiration from AlUla's 200,000-year-old legacy of human history and indigenous art and craft. 

The AlUla Artist Residency Programme is just one of the many initiatives and cultural assets that are set to cement AlUla’s position as a global art destination – be it art in the landscape, ancient and contemporary art, design, and film.