Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is participating in the inaugural edition of Downtown Design Riyadh with a panel discussion, three art installations, and a series of interactive workshops. As part of its participation, Ithra hosted a session titled ‘Fostering Community in a Fast-Forward Market,’ which explored the development of vibrant creative communities and the role of creative education and cross-sector collaboration. The event also featured Ithra’s design installations Adeem, IWAN Pavilion, and Open Segments, all developed under the Center’s annual Tanween design program. These were accompanied by hands-on workshops that engaged participants across various age groups.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Head of the Creativity and Innovation Unit at Ithra Sultan Albadran emphasized the Center’s commitment to empowering designers by expanding their creative horizons and future ambitions, while exploring new forms of artistic expression. He highlighted the role of Tanween in enriching the local creative scene and enabling participation at regional and international levels, helping shape the future of design in the Kingdom.

Albadran described Downtown Design Riyadh as a dynamic design platform that facilitates rich expertise and knowledge exchange. He noted that Ithra’s presence at the event-as a Saudi cultural institution among private sector design and architecture professionals-serves as an invitation to foster collaboration and creative empowerment. The aim, he said, is to support the emergence of pioneering designers in the local market and connect them with the private sector through innovative means.