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COLABS and AAHF Partner to Strengthen Arts and Culture in Saudi Arabia

In a remarkable move aimed at revitalizing the arts and culture landscape in Saudi Arabia, COLABS and the Abdulmonem Al-Rashed Humanitarian Foundation (AAHF) have joined forces in a new partnership. This collaboration seeks to develop and scale various initiatives focusing on the arts, culture, crafts, and heritage, all while promoting cross-regional collaboration.

The newly forged partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for ongoing cooperation that encompasses artistic production, cultural exchanges, research, and public engagement. Starting with the exciting launch of the Creative Collective program, COLABS will introduce a series of cultural initiatives. One of the first activations will be an exhibition highlighting the talents of emerging artists from the MENAP region, set to take place in the coming weeks.

The initiatives planned under this partnership include a variety of activities such as exhibitions, residencies for artists and artisans, commissions, educational programs, publications, and cross-border knowledge exchanges. These initiatives are all a part of COLABS' broader mission of building a dynamic cultural ecosystem in the region.

Based in Riyadh, COLABS is recognized as a community enablement platform that operates in both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The platform seeks to empower entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation by offering various resources. Through its Creative Collective programming, COLABS supports artists at all stages of their careers—both emerging and established—by providing opportunities for residencies, open calls, exhibitions, and engaging public programming. Furthermore, the platform is committed to commissioning new works and integrating art into civic and professional spaces across Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, AAHF is a Saudi Arabian foundation dedicated to human development, cultural conservation, education, and the generation of knowledge. Its Arts and Culture Program aims to promote heritage conservation, foster creative education, and actively engage communities. Noteworthy initiatives include the Norah Al-Mousa House for Culture and Creative Arts and the Al-Ahsa Academy of Crafts. Together, the collaborative programs by AAHF and COLABS will aim to enhance artistic ecosystems, preserve cultural heritage, and stimulate public participation in the arts throughout both regions.

Omar Shah, the CEO of COLABS, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, stating, "Introducing our arts and culture programming to Saudi Arabia aligns naturally with our vision of building robust ecosystems, extending beyond mere workspaces." He recognized that creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship are interlinked, and emphasized the importance of local grounding in their efforts while promoting substantial cross-regional exchanges.

Mr. Abdulmohsen Al-Sultan, CEO of AAHF, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the pride the foundation takes in collaborating with COLABS. He noted, "Art serves as a bridge between cultures, and we are excited about the opportunities that shall arise from this alliance, contributing to a richer cultural landscape in the Kingdom aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030."

The first COLABS site is anticipated to open in Riyadh's Al Narjis district in the coming weeks. This flagship campus is specifically designed to serve startups and scaleups in the Kingdom, while also acting as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, arts, and cultural development.

In an effort to engage more participants in these initiatives, COLABS will soon be launching open calls through its Creative Collective for artists, artisans, and cultural practitioners based in Saudi Arabia and neighboring regions. This will create avenues for individuals to apply for upcoming residencies, commissions, exhibitions, and research-led projects. Further details and guidelines for applications will be shared shortly as the partnership gears up to enrich the cultural fabric of Saudi Arabia.

This new alliance represents a significant step towards nurturing a vibrant arts scene and supporting creative talents in the Arab world, showcasing the commitment of both organizations to cultural development and community engagement.