The Diriyah Biennale Foundation (DBF), supported by Saudi’s Ministry of Culture, is a non-profit organization that aspires to serve Saudi Arabia’s communities not only by being a catalyst for the local art scene, but also showcasing some of the world’s leading artists, driving cultural exchange between the Kingdom and international communities, promoting dialogue and understanding, and furthering Saudi Arabia’s position as a global cultural center.

Central to the Foundation’s mandate is to stage two world-class Biennales on alternate years – the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the Islamic Arts Biennale – and year-round interactive and educational programs, as well as overseeing the activation of JAX, a creative district with industrial heritage in Diriyah. 

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s Islamic Arts Biennale provides a holistic platform for new discourse about Islamic arts, offering an unparalleled space for learning, research, and insight. The exhibition takes place every two years at the Aga Khan Award–winning Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, a city that for centuries has represented a junction point for cultural exchange and a venue that acts as a port of entry for millions of pilgrims on their journey to Makkah and Madinah.