Deadline: 16-Oct-2025
Applications are now open for the Ithra Art Prize, one of the most prestigious awards dedicated to contemporary artists originating from or based in the 22 Arab countries.
The Prize initially focused on Saudi artists but has since broadened to include artistic practices from across the Arab region. It aligns with Ithra’s mission to inspire cultural curiosity and support original, thought-provoking art.
Awarded every two years by an international jury, the Ithra Art Prize grants $100,000 to a single winner. The winning artwork is also acquired into the Ithra collection. Artists must submit a budget not exceeding $15,000, which must cover all costs, including the packing and shipping of the artwork to and from Ithra in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Eligible applicants must be from or currently living in one of the 22 Arab countries. They must show a consistent artistic practice of at least eight years. The proposed artwork should reflect deep inquiry, experimentation, and a process-driven approach developed over several years.
Artists may submit a new commission or a significant reworking of an existing piece, as long as it has not been previously shown on a major platform in the region or received major funding from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The work must also be suitable for long-term conservation and feasible within the budget and timeframe.
Eligible countries include Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen.
For more information, visit Ithra.