Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Located in the heart of Riyadh, Al?an Artspace is a multi-dimensional house of art that cultivates and inspires local talent while being an educational hub, with a library, store and café for all art lovers. Neama A. Al Sudairi, founding director of Al?an Artspace, spoke to Saudi Gazette in an exclusive interview. She said: "Looking ahead in time, our dream is to have that extended to include facilitating introduction of art curriculums at schools and provide a larger array of educational programming especially for young artists. Especially as Saudi art and Middle Eastern art in general attracts more international attention, we see as part of our responsibility for a homegrown institutions like Al?an Artspace to present Saudi perspectives on contemporary art and to really invest in nurturing our emerging and mid-career artists." She said the idea of Al?an Artspace began in 2010, in response to the lack of significant contemporary art institutions in Riyadh and a feeling that more could happen with a little additional support for Saudi's young artists. "Our name Al?an means 'now' in Arabic – and was chosen because a curated contemporary art platform like this is long overdue in Riyadh." Talking about the initiation of Al?an Artspace, the impassioned artist and art aficionado said: "As a passionate artist and collector myself, I've traveled to different art capitals of the world to immerse myself into the global art scene for both education and practice. Contemporary art has held my curiosity and interest from the very beginning. "It has appealed to me on various levels and is what my own work reflects. I've exhibited my work in both inside and outside the Kingdom but with the opening of Al?an I've had to put my own work aside to focus on developing the art scene in the Kingdom." When asked if she has been able to achieve the vision she started out with, she said: "Our journey with Al?an has only just started. People from all walks of the country have graciously received us with tremendous enthusiasm. The echoing comment we hear is there relatively few contemporary art institutions in Saudi Arabia and Al?an has become a critical addition to the scene." She said all exhibitions consciously choose to mix the art mediums that enrich audience's art experience and emulate that Al?an is a true arts hub that embraces ingenious forms of contemporary art and design. "We have set our sights far for Al?an and recognize that education is a key element to focus on now and for our near future. Our educational programs are the non-profit element of our business because we believe that everyone interested should be able to have access. We consistently have offered art talks and workshops that are related to each exhibition head. Alaan Artspace is more than just an art gallery, a hobby or a place to socialize. It triggers a progressive lifestyle. When asked about how art education impacts the youth, she said education plays a pivotal role in comprehending the role that art plays in the society and even comprehending existing art works. "Art education is known to play an integral role in developing critical thinking, and refining cognitive ability. Within societies, the effectiveness of the arts in bringing about positive social change is documented. "Art, unfortunately has not been a part of the local educational programs school, nor is much focus given to it on the higher education level is limited. "As a true arts hub, our ongoing educational arts programing coupled with our exhibitions is integral to Al?an Artspace's core focus and it is integrated into everything we do. This includes a library education center and hosting events such as conversations around design, arts workshops and panel discussions. "We open to new different forms of expressive and thought provoking art. We want Al?an Artspace to be a place that would bring in a diverse audience – from artists and collectors to families and people who are new to arts and to young people who, perhaps, want to be artists some day. For this reason our Majlis includes a research library, a café and a shop." She said the library and shop also emphasize on possibilities of intersection between art and design to nurture curiosity and learning. "We will also feature printed works such as artist designed posters and postcards as well as our own commissioned limited edition design pieces." The shop features items ranging from Lomography and photography accessories to designed objects for the home or office as found in museum gift shops.
