Diriyah Company has announced the awarding of a USD 490 million construction contract for the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), marking a significant step forward in the Kingdom’s cultural development. Located in Diriyah, the new museum is set to become a central platform for the preservation, study and exhibition of Saudi modern and contemporary art.
The museum is designed by the Dubai-based UK architecture and design firm Godwin Austen Johnson, with support from Rafaat Miller Consulting. It will span approximately 45,253 square metres and incorporate sustainability measures aligned with advanced environmental standards. Beyond its physical scale, the institution is positioned as a space for dialogue, bringing together Saudi and international artists while highlighting the evolution of artistic practice across generations. It will serve as the flagship home of SAMoCA, while SAMoCA at JAX Center will continue to operate as a dynamic exhibition space in Riyadh’s creative district.
This development forms part of the broader vision for Diriyah as a cultural and economic hub, aligning with the national efforts to diversity the economy and invest in the creative industries. Once open, the museum is expected to play a key role in strengthening the Kingdom’s global cultural presence while also contributing to long-term urban and social development.
