The Role of Saudi Women in the Arts in Shaping Cultural Diplomacy

Abstract

This dissertation examines the role of Saudi women artists within the cultural diplomacy frameworks of Vision 2030. Challenging the prevailing view of cultural diplomacy as a top- down state initiative, this research addresses a critical gap by focusing on the agency of individual artists. Through a qualitative multi method approach analyzing public data, including artworks, digital content, and interviews, this study finds that Saudi women artists are not passive instruments of state policy. Instead, they employ strategic agency to navigate the complex terrain between institutional opportunities and creative autonomy. The findings reveal that artists utilize hybrid spaces and digital platforms to construct multifaceted identities and shape cultural narratives through subtle strategies like quiet encroachment and strategic ambiguity. This research makes a significant contribution by reframing cultural diplomacy as a dynamic, multi directional process, demonstrating how Saudi women artists actively negotiate constraints to become key shapers of their nation's evolving cultural landscape.