Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah draws record attendance numbers to its inaugural edition.

Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced that the critically acclaimed inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale held in Jeddah from January 23rd to May 23rd, 2023, recorded an astounding attendance of over 600,000 visitors throughout the four-month period. Among the attendees, 68% were Saudi nationals, while 32% were non-Saudi visitors cementing the Islamic Arts Biennale position as a major international cultural event.

In an unprecedented showcase of Islamic arts achieved by convening contemporary artists and dedicated institutions, the Biennale inspired audiences to reflect on art made in or inspired by the Islamic world, and contributed with a fresh perspective to global discourse around the genre. 

Beyond surpassing attendance records of many global and regional counterparts, the Biennale has also achieved an average of over 5000 daily visits, ranking it amongst the highest average daily visitation rates for biennales globally.

His Excellency Rakan Al Touq, Assistant Minister of Culture and Vice Chairman of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said: “The vision for this Biennale was as ambitious as it was universal: to establish the leading convening ground for Islamic arts both from a contemporary and historic perspective, as a means of sparking new dialogue around the genre. The participating artists and institutions have in an unprecedented manner, deepened understanding and heightened appreciation of an art form that has influenced global creative expression for over 14 centuries; and both our attendance figures and visitor demographics are a testament to the Biennale’s success in doing so. “ 

The attendance numbers revealed balanced representation, with 43% male visitors and 57% female visitors, including thousands of pilgrims, demonstrating the inclusive nature of the Islamic Arts Biennale in providing a platform for artistic exploration that appeals to individuals of all backgrounds.

In addition, the age distribution of attendees showcases the Biennale’s widespread appeal across generations. Approximately 51% of visitors were under 26 years old, demonstrating the Biennale’s widespread engagement of youth.

Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said: “When we set out to launch the Islamic Arts Biennale, we knew it needed fresh thinking around art made in, or inspired by the Islamic world, and we knew our challenge would have been to contextualize and re-imagine this art form within an existent body of knowledge. Today, I am humbled by the overwhelming enthusiasm shown by our visitors towards this first-of-its-kind exhibition and to have received countless reviews about the ways in which this biennale has educated, engaged, and inspired diverse communities irrespective of age, nationality, and beliefs.” 

The overwhelming success of the Islamic Arts Biennale's first edition underscores the growing recognition of Islamic art and its role in the global appreciation of ancient and living heritage of Islamic civilization. It stands as a landmark event in the art world, reaffirming Jeddah's position as a leading cultural hub in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The Islamic Arts Biennale will return for its second edition in 2025, promising to further showcase the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts and culture. 

ENDS