The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has announced the five shortlisted artists for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, one of the region’s leading awards supporting contemporary art from the Arab world. The 2026 shortlist highlights diverse artistic practices that reflect critical inquiry, experimentation, and dialogue across cultures.
The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine).
For the first time, all five finalists will receive production grants, with their works presented in a dedicated exhibition at Ithra in Dhahran in spring 2026, marking the Prize’s return to its home after touring cities including Dubai, AlUla, and Riyadh.
Selected from over 500 submissions by an international jury, the shortlist reflects Ithra’s continued commitment to supporting innovation and advancing contemporary artistic dialogue across the Arab world
