The United Kingdom’s Minister of Culture, Ian Murray, made an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 5 February 2026 to strengthen cultural ties and explore artistic collaboration between the two nations. During his visit, Minister Murray toured the third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale — a major platform showcasing cutting-edge work from artists around the world and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role on the global contemporary art stage.
At the biennale, Minister Murray was accompanied by key cultural figures and participated in discussions about the power of contemporary art to foster dialogue and exchange. The event, held in Riyadh’s JAX Creative District, brings together over 60 artists representing more than 37 countries, each engaging with the theme of movement, transition, and cultural interaction.
During his visit in Riyadh, Minister Murray also visited the British Council office, where he met with Matthew Knowles, Director of the British Council in Riyadh, to discuss the latest cultural collaborations and educational opportunities between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
A highlight of the visit was an important meeting with Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, Acting CEO of the Saudi Museums Commission, where both leaders discussed cooperation and strategic partnerships aimed at deepening cultural relations and increasing exchanges between institutions in the UK and Saudi Arabia.
This visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to harness culture and the arts as bridges for international understanding, creativity, and future collaboration.
