Heritage Narratives
in Southern Arabia

Collaborative Workshops for Artists Based in Saudi Arabia

The Goethe-Institut invites artists based in Saudi Arabia to apply for Heritage Narratives in Southern Arabia, a collaborative workshop series taking place in Aseer from 15 October to 1 November 2026.

The two-week programme will bring together Berlin-based graphic designer and typographer Verena Gerlach and a group of artists working across different artistic and creative disciplines.

Participants are invited to explore and share their own stories and the stories of their communities while engaging with the cultural and craft heritage of Aseer. The programme aims to contribute to the preservation of traditional crafts, encourage cultural exchange and support the transmission of cultural knowledge to younger generations.

Through workshops, training sessions and collaborative artistic production, participants will exchange knowledge about their backgrounds, practices and local traditions. The programme welcomes artists working in areas such as:

• Textiles
• Mural painting
• Graphic design
• Crafts
• Photography
• Other related artistic disciplines

A central focus of the workshops will be Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, the traditional interior house decoration associated with Aseer region, as well as the ways in which traditional practices can be interpreted and developed through contemporary artistic approaches.

Toward the end of the workshops, participants will begin developing a final artistic outcome and consider how it can be presented to audiences in other regions of Saudi Arabia and internationally. Following the in-person programme, participants will continue working on their projects through regular online meetings, discussions and work reviews with Verena Gerlach.

The final outcomes are planned to be exhibited in Saudi Arabia in 2027, with the possibility of a subsequent presentation in Berlin.

Workshop dates: 15 October–1 November 2026
Location: Aseer, Saudi Arabia
Application deadline:  15 September 2026

Application

Artists based in Saudi Arabia who are interested in participating in the programme are invited to complete the registration form below.
 

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and asked to submit a professional portfolio presentation. Please ensure that you are prepared to provide a portfolio that meets the following requirements:

• Selected artworks: Include 10–12 of your best and most recent works that are relevant to the programme.
• Professional documentation: Photograph or scan your work in bright, even and preferably natural light.
• Artwork information: Each work should include its title, year, medium and dimensions.
• Format: Submit the portfolio as a PDF.
• Narrative: Structure the presentation with a clear beginning, middle and end that communicates a coherent story.
• Artistic process: Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an online meeting to discuss their artistic intentions, techniques and how they addressed challenges during the development of their work.