DUBAI: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the third edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, open from Nov. 1, 2027, through March 1, 2028, at the Aga Khan Award–winning Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Conceived and launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Islamic Arts Biennale is the first biennale in the world dedicated exclusively to the exploration of the arts of Islamic civilizations, past and present. The biennale brings together a large number of historical works — some of which have never been displayed before — into dialogue with contemporary commissions, to highlight questions and perspectives that resonate with the lives of people around the world today.
The third edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale and future editions of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will open at the end of each year, allowing the foundation to deepen its focus on institutional partnerships and align with the Kingdom’s wider cultural calendar.
The Islamic Arts Biennale 2027 will build on the success of its inaugural and second editions, which presented over 500 historical objects from more than 40 institutions across more than 20 countries, with the second edition tripling the number of participating institutions.
Central to this expansion is AlMadar (“The Orbit”), an initiative conceived by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation to transform the biennale from a periodic exhibition into a sustained global platform for Islamic arts. Launched with the biennale’s first edition and reflecting an understanding of Islamic heritage as an evolving field, AlMadar reconsiders how works from across eras and geographies are convened, studied, and experienced. The initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to cultural collaboration internationally and across disciplines.
AlMadar will evolve into a continuous, year-round initiative structured by four pillars: AlMadar Exhibition, presented at each edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale and accompanied by public programs; AlMadar Digital, a repository that leverages technology for research, collaboration, and storytelling; AlMadar Initiatives, consisting of symposia, talks, and workshops that support research and creative practice; and AlMadar Community, a network connecting member institutions for knowledge exchange and collaborative opportunities.
