For the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh, which kicked off in the Kingdom’s capital on April 6 and will run until the 13 across the city’s JAX District and key cultural landmarks, The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has teamed up with two of the Kingdom’s most exciting visual artists— Lulwah Al-Homoud and Faisal Alkheriji— to create limited-edition collectibles that blur the line between art object and takeaway treasure.
Lulwah Al-Homoud brings her signature calligraphic geometry— equal parts cerebral and striking— while Alkheriji dreams up playing cards injected with the playful, pop twist that makes his work instantly recognizable. The result? A refreshingly modern spin on the souvenir. Together, their designs turn the idea of a “souvenir” on its head, transforming it from a memento into a conversation starter.
It’s all happening at the CDF booth in JAX District, where art meets access. Beyond the merch, the Fund is making moves: offering free consultations, spotlighting cultural financing programs, and giving creatives the tools to scale. It’s part of a larger push to spotlight Saudi talent in unexpected, accessible ways.
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As a programming partner of the event, CDF is using the week to spotlight its role as the backbone of Saudi’s cultural economy. While exhibitions and installations take center stage, it’s what’s happening behind the scenes— financial consultations, entrepreneurial workshops, and cultural financing strategies— that’s quietly reshaping the future of the creative sector.
From specialized financial consultations to in-depth guidance on business planning, CDF is offering what so many creatives often lack: structure, support, and access.
Its dedicated workshop, Cultural Financing for the Visual Arts Sector, is another key highlight — opening up conversations around how to monetize creativity without compromising artistic integrity. It’s part of a broader mission: to turn cultural passion into viable economic opportunity.
With 16 cultural domains under its wing, the Fund is helping shift the narrative from art as hobby to art as high-impact enterprise— and doing so with Saudi talent at the center. In a week where art takes over Riyadh, the Cultural Development Fund is proving that the real power move is in building the ecosystem that lets creativity thrive. From pocket-sized masterpieces to financial and enablement solutions, CDF is laying the groundwork for a future where Saudi talent is supported, scaled, and seriously invested in.
