A special charity auction of contemporary art from the Middle East will take place in Saudi Arabia on 26 June to raise funds for a new heritage museum in Jeddah Historical District and a Jeddah children’s non-profit organisation.

Art For Al Balad: A Charity Auction is the first event of its kind in the Kingdom and has been organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Christie’s. More than 40 works have been generously donated for the sale by collectors, artists and gallerists, including works by artists representing Saudi Arabia and other countries around the Middle East.

Proceeds from the sales will support the creation of a dedicated heritage museum that will tell the story of the Al Balad’s unique history and the Help Centre, a Jeddah-based children’s non-profit organisation which provides tailored support to children with special educational needs. Through their various charitable activities, including works sold at Dubai auctions, Christie’s in the Middle East has helped to raise more than US$25 million for charity in the region since 2005.

This event forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider cultural transformation plans that are set to bring unprecedented change to the Kingdom. Led by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, the Ministry aims to create a thriving cultural sector which supports the Kingdom’s economic diversification and improves citizen’s quality of life.