Earlier this year, the British Council and the Royal Commission for AlUla launched a new phase of collaboration rooted in a shared commitment to cultural exchange, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in the heritage and creative sectors. This partnership reflects both organisations’ vision to support local talent, foster long-term UK–Saudi relationships, and contribute to the cultural vitality of AlUla.
Today, we are pleased to announce the eight UK-based artists and cultural practitioners who have been selected to receive AlUla Cultural Grants by the British Council. Chosen from a highly competitive pool of 78 applicants, these grantees represent the very best in innovation, collaboration, and creative ambition across a wide range of disciplines, including visual and performing arts, archaeology, museums, architecture, design, and fashion.
The projects will be showcased during the British Council’s 50th anniversary season in Saudi Arabia, running from November 2025 to February 2026, as well as at the launch of the AlUla Arts Festival. The showcase will include art exhibitions, training programmes in cultural production, participation in field research at archaeological sites, workshops on sustainable design, and the sharing of heritage stories from both countries’ cultures.
Meet the Projects and the Artists:
Project name: Research Capacity Building for RCU
As part of the Harrat Uwayrid Nature Reserve and aligned with UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” program, this project supports AlUla’s Masterplan 1 for sustainable tourism development. Focused on the Wadi Thurbah site, the initiative is designed to protect heritage assets while deepening the historical narrative of the region. With funding directed toward initial research, the project’s core objective is to equip archaeologists at the Royal Commission for AlUla and within the local community with advanced skills in research strategy and stakeholder engagement, as well as protect heritage, enhance the region’s historical narrative, and support RCU’s goals in research, public engagement, and capacity building. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and field-based training, the program aims to build internal capacity, promote gender inclusion in heritage leadership, and achieve long-term professional impact, laying the foundation for more effective and sustainable heritage development across AlUla.
Heritage International is a UK-based consultancy specializing in archaeological research, built heritage conservation, and cultural capacity-building throughout the Middle East. Established in 2022 and operating under the registered name “Heritage International Services Limited,” the organization offers strategic, research-driven services for major heritage and development projects across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and beyond.
Project name: Remake: What is Luxury?
This project brings together fashion, heritage, and sustainability in a unique initiative that bridges London and AlUla. It centres on the creation of a capsule fashion collection inspired by the cultural richness and natural beauty of AlUla, developed in collaboration with Saudi artists and craftsmen. Designed in London and showcased in AlUla, the collection reimagines existing garments, transforming them into elevated, tailored pieces using repurposed materials and traditional techniques.
The project will culminate in a dynamic program of events including a catwalk presentation, a gallery-style exhibition, and a series of workshops and talks focused on circular design and sustainable fashion practices.
Studio Ü is a London-based fashion studio rooted in sustainability, storytelling, and craftsmanship. Founded on the belief that fashion is more than just clothing, Studio Ü redefines the industry by transforming discarded materials into meaningful, one-of-a-kind garments that honour history, celebrate the present, and imagine a more conscious future.
Project name: Cultural Producers Programme
The project is a dynamic training initiative designed to equip young Saudi creatives aged 18 to 30 with the knowledge and practical skills needed for cultural and event production, with a strong emphasis on AlUla’s distinctive cultural heritage. Rooted in professional development and cultural alignment, the programme fosters long-term partnerships between UK and Saudi institutions, promoting cross-cultural exchange and inclusivity in the creative sector. By incorporating a curriculum tailored to AlUla’s identity, engaging local stakeholders, and providing mentoring and coaching, the project ensures both personal growth and community relevance. A structured placement model offers hands-on experience, while a “Train the Trainers” framework guarantees sustainability by empowering local experts to continue the impact. Ultimately, the initiative contributes to AlUla’s economic and cultural development, shaping a new generation of cultural leaders.
The University of East London is a dynamic, careers-focused public university in East London that has been preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow for over 125 years. Renowned for its strong teaching quality, student experience, and employability rankings, UEL offers diverse programmes across fields like architecture, psychology, computing, and more, while maintaining a strong emphasis on practical outcomes through industry-aligned curricula and a robust Careers Guarantee.
Sustainable Conservation Trust
Project name: Alleyways of AlUla
The Alleyways of AlUla project is an initiative focused on heritage and powered by the local community, inspired by the successful Alleyways of Gosport programme in the UK, which reactivated neglected urban pathways through artistic interventions and local engagement. Building on this model, the proposed pilot in AlUla aims to transform the region’s historic alleyways into vibrant cultural spaces through storytelling, heritage interpretation, and creative workshops. With a strong focus on female-led community involvement, the project will foster collaboration between Saudi and UK artists through a mentorship programme. Rooted in the values of sustainability, inclusivity, and creativity, it will begin with a scoping visit to explore opportunities for adaptive reuse and stakeholder engagement, laying the groundwork for long-term cultural regeneration. By combining AlUla’s rich history with innovative, participatory design, the initiative seeks to uncover hidden narratives and celebrate local identity, breathing new life into the region’s overlooked spaces.
The Sustainable Conservation Trust is a UK-based organization dedicated to preserving and reimagining heritage spaces through creative, community-led approaches. With a strong focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and placemaking, SCT works at the intersection of conservation, public engagement, and contemporary art to ensure historic environments remain relevant and accessible.
Project name: Generations of Memory
Generations of Memory is a proposed group exhibition led by an artist and producer with previous experience in AlUla, in partnership with Madrasat Addeera. Bringing together seven local female artists, the project highlights traditional crafts such as palm weaving, pottery, embroidery, and jewelry making. Set to coincide with Saudi Arabia’s 2025 Year of Handicraft, the exhibition blends heritage with innovation, exploring how memory and craft are passed down through generations. Alongside the display, the programme will include artist talks, storytelling sessions, and portraiture capturing three generations of women, offering a reflective look at AlUla’s cultural continuity and creative evolution.
Mitoshka Alkova is a UK-based documentary filmmaker and visual artist known for her intimate, place-based storytelling that weaves together memory, identity, and cultural heritage. Alongside her film work, she has a strong interest in traditional handicrafts, which she explores both as a subject and a creative medium. Her projects often engage with artisans and communities, particularly women, to document and celebrate craft practices such as weaving, embroidery, and pottery. Alkova’s fascination with the tactile and symbolic aspects of handmade objects informs much of her work, including typewriter art and mixed-media installations. Through this blend of film and craft, she highlights the enduring value of traditional knowledge and its role in shaping collective and personal narratives.
Project name: Bespoke Training Programme in Museum Studies
The Bespoke Training Programme in Museum Studies is a training program designed to equip RCU staff and selected AlUla residents with foundational skills in curation, exhibition management, and museum display. Delivered through a mix of in-person sessions led by SOAS and RCU experts, alongside online learning, workshops, and site visits, the programme supports experiential and collaborative learning. With a participant group of 10–15 individuals, the course encourages knowledge sharing and active engagement. The programme will culminate in student-led displays showcasing selected items from the RCU collection at a venue in AlUla, offering a practical outcome that connects training with public cultural engagement.
SOAS University of London is a leading global institution specialising in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with a strong focus on cultural heritage, languages, and interdisciplinary research. It is recognised for its academic excellence and commitment to fostering global understanding through the humanities and social sciences.
Project name: Cries in the Desert
Cries in the Desert is a collaborative, multidisciplinary project that brings together art, music, and oral history to celebrate and reinterpret AlUla’s rich cultural heritage. Led by UK artists Musson + Retallick, filmmaker Jon Bilbrough, local researcher Mohammed Al Hussayni, and archaeologist Dr. Daniel Eddisford, the initiative transforms archival recordings and traditional music into immersive visual and sound installations. Through experimental desert performances, aerial filming, and projected imagery, the project aims to spotlight underrepresented voices, particularly women, and create new ways of engaging with AlUla’s identity. This initial phase seeks research funding to develop artistic concepts, build creative partnerships, and lay the foundation for future international sharing of AlUla’s evolving story.
Musson + Retallick (M+R) is a UK-based interdisciplinary art studio founded by Neil Musson and Jono Retallick, known for creating immersive installations that blend sculpture, sound, light, and storytelling. Their work often explores themes of memory, place, and cultural identity, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and site-specificity.
Project name: AlUla Rock Art Field School
AlUla Rock Art Field School is a pilot training initiative aimed at equipping Saudi heritage professionals with essential skills in rock art documentation, analysis, and site management. Led by Dr Maria Guagnin and supported by two UK-based archaeologists, the 10-day programme will train four RCU-selected participants in techniques such as GPS mapping, 3D modelling, digital photography, and scientific analysis. Designed specifically for Saudi Arabia’s unique archaeological context, the training addresses a critical gap in local expertise, with the long-term goal of establishing a recurring field school in collaboration with UK universities. The project will also generate data to support heritage protection, education, and tourism, and will culminate in a report for RCU with key insights for managing AlUla’s rich rock art heritage.
Dr. Maria Guagnin is a UK-based rock art specialist and long-time advisor to the Royal Commission for AlUla, with extensive field experience in Saudi Arabia. Based at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, she researches prehistoric rock art, influences of climate change, and settlement patterns across Arabia.
