Art World Creation in Saudi Arabia: From the 1960s to Vision 2030

Abstract

This thesis examines the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene from the 1960s to today. It emphasizes the notable cultural transformations developed in alignment with Vision 2030. This research uses Howard Becker’s theory of “art worlds” as a central framework. It also investigates how art production, distribution, and reception in the Kingdom have been shaped by institutional, governmental, and societal shifts. The study combines historical analysis, case studies, and recent publications. It also demonstrates how government-led initiatives, commercial galleries, biennials, and individual artistic practices have collaboratively shaped a uniquely Saudi art ecosystem. Special attention is paid to the role of the Ministry of Culture in professionalizing the sector and to the internationalisation of Saudi art through strategic cultural diplomacy. The thesis argues that while the Saudi art world is still in a formative stage, it has rapidly matured through new infrastructures, networks, and global engagement. It concludes that the Saudi case demonstrates how contemporary art worlds can emerge in non-Western contexts through a combination of top-down policies and independent artistic innovation. This offers a model of cultural development that is both locally grounded and internationally connected.