Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla has signed an agreement with the Paris-based Centre Pompidou to develop a contemporary art museum in AlUla. Centre Pompidou, which operates annexes in Shanghai and Malaga, will extend its presence into Saudi Arabia via the new museum, which is set to focus on regional artists, extending to the South Asian and North African diasporas.

The agreement was signed by Arts AlUla executive director Nora Aldabal and Centre Pompidou president Laurent Le Bon in the presence of Prince Badr bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of RCU, and French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak.

 “A new milestone for #AlUla’s growing creative ecosystem. Global cross-cultural connections and collaboration sit at the heart of our creative strength, and through our partnership with @CentrePompidou we continue our transformation as a dynamic arts and cultural hub,” the RCU added.