Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives has launched a SR100 million art initiative that aims to provide an international point of reference for artists and art lovers. Part of the “Art Jameel” scheme, “Beyt Jameel” will not only bring together artists from different disciplines but also support them and promote their work. It will feature an exhibition space specifically designed to display submissions for the Islamic art inspired Jameel Prize and another space dedicated to local and visiting international exhibitions. “Beyt Jameel”will also feature an open air museum to display sculptures. Other areas include an art laboratory, training rooms, a spacious room for lectures, an event hall, cafeteria and retail outlets. “Beyt Jameel” is envisaged to become a home to all forms of visual arts including contemporary art and those inspired by Islamic civilization such as drawings, paintings, calligraphy and design. Fadi Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, president of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI) International, explained that “Art Jameel” has become the new name for ALJCI's arts and culture initiatives, taking under its umbrella all the art and cultural programs that had been previously launched directly under Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives over the last 10 years. The initiative's sole purpose will be to nurture all art and cultural programs. Detailing “Art Jameel's” objectives, he said the initiative would support Saudi artists, particularly young men and women, discover talents and foster their artistic skills whilst giving them a platform to promote their creative works. He added that “Beyt Jameel” would offer international scholarships to Saudi artists that would allow them to join renowned artists at major international art training centers. He called on the Saudi business community to unite in launching more initiatives to create a strong network aimed at supporting artists all over the Kingdom. At the same time he expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Information and to the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts for their continuing support. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Badawood, managing director of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives, detailed the progress of the project and explained that a plot of land for the “Beyt Jameel” project had been acquired in a location north of Jeddah. The master plan, he said, was also already being designed by a reputed international architectural firm. The total area of the plot measures 7,000 sq. meters whilst the built up area is also expected to come to 7,000 sq. meters. Badawood added that “Beyt Jameel” would be a sustainable non-profit organization with operational expenses covered from the first year by events and programs taking place throughout the year. The history of the art and cultural programs of Art Jameel goes back to over 10 years ago, when ALJCI commenced renovation work on the Islamic Art Gallery at the famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2004. Later, the gallery was renamed the “Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art”. Not long after, the bi-annual Jameel Prize for Islamic Art was launched in 2006 and is now in its third edition. This was followed by the launch of the Art Jameel Photography Award and an Art Center in Dubai. Other initiatives include the “First Edition” and ALJ Art Olympics in addition to partnerships with art institutions such as Edge of Arabia, Arabian Wings and Crossway Foundation. ALJCI was also part of a project to restore and promote sculptures in Jeddah.
