Inaugurated in 2021, the Hayy Jameel Cultural Center in Jeddah reflects the Jameel Foundation’s commitment to supporting artists and creative communities and placing the city at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene. Hayy Jameel – derived from the Arabic word for neighborhood – refers to the community-oriented nature of the complex, and the ways in which the partner organizations are working together to present the full diversity of the arts. Some of those organizations include art galleries, digital entrepreneurs, comedy clubs, cafes and more. One of the center’s main goals was to bring together, under one roof, the different cultural and creative industries in the city.
Art Jameel commissioned Ibda Design to draft Hayy Jameel as a major destination for Jeddah’s cultural community, bringing together a range of cultural experiences in one neighborhood. Ibda Design has created a three-story space, inspired by Middle Eastern architecture. Shaded terraces and walkways lead out to a central courtyard that connects many of the internal spaces. The flow from outdoor to indoor spaces encourages collaboration between artists and disciplines. The need for privacy and natural light is answered through the façades, one of which is a “blank canvas” for art installations. Shared facilities include a theatre and events spaces designed for a range of activities − from performances and exhibitions to conferences and community markets.
The potential is enormous and I think that in the future we’ll certainly be hearing even more about Saudi artists around the world.
Zohra Ait El Jamar, director of Hayy Cinema.
Spanning an area of 17,000 m2, the Cultural Center has a museum section where art galleries host a year-round rotation of exhibitions. There is also the country’s first independent cinema, the ‘Hayy Cinéma’, which is is dedicated to Arts and Documentaries. It gives local filmmakers the opportunity to show their films. The Center also welcomes associations involved in the cultural and creative industries sector. Some notable examples are the Fennec comedy club, and the Ayshe pastry school. Fenaa Hayy is a multi-purpose space for performances, workshops and talks, while Saha is a central community courtyard underpinned by philosophies of sustainability and adaptability.
“The potential is enormous and I think that in the future we’ll certainly be hearing even more about Saudi artists around the world,” said Zohra Ait El Jamar, director of Hayy Cinema. “There’s a saying that Jeddah is different, it’s something you notice pretty quickly when you come to the city.”
Hayy Jameel, developed and funded by Art Jameel, acts as an incubator for creatives and entrepreneurs. It brings together and nurture Saudi Arabian artists, playwrights, photographers, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and others, along with the enthusiastic audiences that support them.
Hayy has joined Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai – which opened in 2018 – in its efforts to build culture-oriented, connected communities. The launch of Hayy Jameel culminated 75 years of Jameel family philanthropy and is in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, ushering in a new era for the arts and creative sector across the Kingdom.
Fady Jameel is the Chairman and Founder of Art Jameel. He is a member of the Council for the Arts at MIT, and sits on a number of international museum boards and committees. He is also the Vice Chairman of Community Jameel, Vice Chairman of Bab Rizq Jameel, and Deputy President and Vice Chairman, International Operations of Abdul Latif Jameel, the international business founded in 1945 by his grandfather, the late Abdul Latif Jameel.
Art Jameel was established to continue the Jameel family’s tradition of supporting creative communities across the Arab world. Major Art Jameel international institutional partners include the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts.