From Warehouse To Art Haus – JAX is Riyadh’s Art District
Think of some of the great cultural cities around the world and each will have one or more arts districts. To name just a few… Soho and Chelsea in New York or the East Village of Long Beach, California; Shoreditch and the Barbican in London or the Northern Quarter in Manchester; Parc de Belleville in Paris and Cours Julien in Marseille; the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg area of Berlin or Ehrenfeld in Cologne; Beijing’s Art Zone; and Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue and D3 – Dubai Design District.
Now it’s time to add Riyadh’s JAX District to that list! We’re here with a handy Q&A to give you a taste of what it’s all about.
So what’s the JAX District?
If you’ve got an eye for the arts it’s where you need to be because it’s Riyadh’s new creative hub – a home for artists, designers, and creatives of every discipline, interest, and stripe. In its over 100 renovated warehouses, you’ll find studios and workshops, production houses and creative agencies, and galleries and museums – not to mention (the fuel of all creatives) plenty of cafes with freshly made coffee.
Renovated warehouses? What was it before?
The district was first established as an industrial site in 1975 and named after the company that built some of the first warehouses there – JAX Group (the company still exists but has relocated). The district was a vital part of the Kingdom’s industrial development, so much so, it’s also recently been recognized by Saudi’s Heritage Commission as an Industrial Heritage Site, highlighting its unique industrial architecture – and offering yet another reason to visit.
But the name ‘JAX’ has now taken on a life and meaning of its own – art, music, culture, and a spirit of organic urban regeneration.
Cool! How did it develop from this industrial district into an artistic hub?
Just like a lot of countries around the world, industry began to move elsewhere in the mid-2000s. And just as in other countries, young artists saw an opportunity. They began to move in, painting murals on warehouse walls and repurposing the indoor spaces as workshops, studios, and creative spaces. And these young artists also nurtured a whole creative and creator ecosystem. This organic beginning inspired the official designation and launch of the area as an arts district in 2021, adding fuel to the creative energy that’s pouring into and out of JAX.
Right, so, where is it exactly?
It’s in the west of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, and is actually part of the famous Diriyah cultural area. So, if you want to take in some ancient with your modern, you can also check out the Al-Turaif heritage site while you’re there.
I’m on my way. What can I do there?
A good place to start online is here at Visit Saudi – and when on the ground, head for SAMOCA, the first Contemporary Art Museum in Saudi Arabia. With a range of free and ticketed exhibits, this is a great place to get your first taste of the diverse range of international and local talent in JAX. The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is another good early stop – the biennale itself normally takes place between February and May, but there’s still plenty to see. Checkout their website to learn more about what’s on and opening hours.
There’s also an array of other events throughout the year. JAX plays a big part in the annual Noor Riyadh light display (check out the countdown!) while XP Music Futures (formerly MDLBeast) is a massive festival of music, featuring live shows alongside workshops and talks from leading music industry figures.
But visiting JAX is as much about the experience of discovery as it is landmarks. There’s a huge array of galleries, live workshops, and interactive exhibits by acclaimed artists and emerging talents alike. These include the Hafez Gallery, Aimes’ Jax Creative Space, and AthrArt. Check out their websites for opening times, locations, and what’s on at the moment!
You can also look out for individual artists’ studios – such as Nasser AlTurki – or workshops like Saudi Artisanal. Or if live music’s more your thing (or… where your head’s at), check out the Warehouse and Beast House.
Perhaps the best thing to do is simply wander around and enjoy the experience, from smaller spaces you can only discover in person to the graffiti murals that were the spark for the district’s creative rebirth.
When and how can I visit?
The district is open 24/7 and there are no tickets required to enter JAX in general. The various arts spaces within though have their own operating times and some are ticketed. For example, the Biennale costs SAR200 to visit – that’s about US$53, €48, or £40.
The easiest way to get there is by car – either a taxi or through a ride sharing app. Check out our guide here on how to get around.
I’m feeling inspired, can I setup there as a creator?
That’s great! In fact, part of JAX District’s mission is to celebrate “everyone’s inner artist.”
Plenty of the galleries and studios already setup in JAX District have spaces you can work in, for example the Future Creative Residence space and Aimes’ Jax Creative Space
If you’re really committed, you can even explore setting up your own space! Are you ready to show the world what you’ve got?
We hope that’s sparked your interest in JAX District! Of course, nothing compares to going there – So why not check out our visa guide and some of the other things to do across the Kingdom and start planning your trip?
