Riyadh, July (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 17 يوليو 2026ء) Held over three weeks from June 28 to July 16, the Arts Futures Camp brought together 14 talented young creatives, selected from more than 157 applications received from across the Kingdom. Designed for Arabic-speaking teenagers aged 14 to 18, the immersive programme introduced participants to the creative possibilities of new media through a series of hands-on workshops, collaborative projects and mentorship led by DAF's artists, faculty and technical specialists.
Throughout the programme, participants explored a multidisciplinary curriculum spanning digital photography, sound design, animation, digital fabrication, laser cutting, 3D printing, creative coding and exhibition production. The programme enabled the participants to develop new technical skills while strengthening creative confidence, collaboration and critical thinking through project-based learning.
The 2026 edition centered on the theme “Digital Art and Portraiture”, inviting participants to consider the question: "How do you represent a person when faces are data, identities are fluid, and images travel without you?" Through this exploration, students produced original works that reflected contemporary conversations around identity, empathy, self-expression and the evolving relationship between people and technology.
The programme culminated in a closing exhibition at Diriyah Art Futures, where participants proudly presented their original artworks to an audience of family members, friends, mentors and faculty. The showcase transformed the learning journey into a public celebration of creativity, offering visitors an opportunity to experience 18 creative projects that demonstrated the imagination, experimentation and technical capabilities developed throughout the camp.
Working alongside DAF lab specialists, artists and mentors, participants also gained valuable insight into the exhibition-making process, collaborating with DAF's curatorial and production teams to understand how creative concepts evolve into professionally presented artworks.
By combining artistic exploration with emerging technologies, the Arts Futures Camp reinforces Diriyah Art Futures' role as a catalyst for creative education and innovation. The programme contributes to Saudi Arabia's broader cultural ambitions by empowering young creatives with the skills, confidence and perspectives needed to shape the future of digital art and creative industries.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, Diriyah Art Futures looks forward to welcoming future cohorts as the Arts Futures Camp becomes an annual platform dedicated to discovering, supporting and developing the Kingdom's next generation of digital artists.
