Creative residencies can bring artistic world to the region

There are places — too beautiful for words — that serve as muses for creative souls. The lavender fields of Provence, the shimmering blues of the French Riviera and the poetic cafes of Paris, for example, have inspired generations of writers, painters and filmmakers, from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway to Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. These places were more than just postcard pictures — they offered rich cultural histories, creative communities and character.
Today, a new wave of inspiration is gaining momentum across the globe. Creative residencies rooted in nature are dreamy visions — part retreat, part creative catalyst — that give creatives the time, space and setting to dream, reflect and produce exceptional works. When these residencies are designed with cultural depth and local engagement in mind, they become more than personal journeys, they evolve into cultural connections, allowing creatives to experience settings not just as visitors but rather as artists-in-residence.
Bijou in size, yet boundless in artistic possibilities — creative residencies have much to offer. They serve as immersive spaces where artists, writers, designers, filmmakers, fashion designers, musicians, artisans, chefs and thinkers can connect with inspiring possibilities. These residencies also act as cultural bridges, welcoming diverse talents from around the world to co-create, exhibit and share stories that celebrate both tradition and innovation.
Around the world, several creative residencies have become iconic for their unique blend of natural setting, heritage and creative exploration. Villa Medici in Rome is an exquisite Renaissance villa offering residencies set against the backdrop of the city’s rich heritage and decked out with a library containing almost 38,000 volumes, a sound and video studio and a photo lab. The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, nestled in the breathtaking Canadian Rocky Mountains, provides a sanctuary for artists to explore music, visual arts and literature in a space that encourages reflection and artistic flourishes. Meanwhile, MacDowell in New Hampshire is one of the oldest artist residencies in the US and offers secluded studios and a serene setting for artists, writers, composers and visual creators. Past fellows include novelist James Baldwin and composer Leonard Bernstein.
Creative residencies in the Middle East and North Africa could ignite a new wave of artistic expression, using the region’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage to inspire works that resonate far beyond its borders.
For instance, AlUla’s artist residency programs are redefining the creative landscape of the region, blending heritage, nature and contemporary artistic practices. Designed as immersive experiences encompassing various disciplines — including visual arts, design, landscaping, agriculture, botany, heritage and digital innovation — these residencies invite artists from around the world to immerse themselves in AlUla’s historical and natural setting in order to produce creative works. Whether collaborating with local scientists, exploring desert flora or imagining future ecologies through digital media, each program positions AlUla not just as a place of inspiration but as a living cultural canvas that shapes its evolving creative and cultural narrative.

The MENA region’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage can inspire works that resonate far beyond its borders.

Sara Al-Mulla

If creative residencies were to flourish in the region, they would spark new works of art, celebrate the vibrancy of Arab culture and share the region’s natural and creative richness with the world. With the MENA region boasting a breathtaking tapestry of landscapes, many locations would be viable for this endeavor, from the city of Aswan in Egypt overlooking the banks of the Nile to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, which echo with Berber traditions and enthrall creatives with their majestic ridges and ancient trails.
Creatives can also engage with culinary traditions, exploring the vibrant flavors and cooking techniques that define the region, while local crafts and fashion offer artists opportunities to incorporate traditional craftsmanship, such as embroidery or weaving, into their works. Poetry rooted in centuries-old traditions can provide inspiration for content creators, while the rhythmic beats of music and “hakawati” oral storytelling bring stories to life in novel ways.
Creative residencies in the MENA region should be designed to offer an immersive, enriching experience for anything from a few weeks up to a year, aligning with unique seasonal rhythms. Programs should blend time for solitude and artistic creation with a thoughtfully curated cultural calendar of events and tours.
For instance, fellows might join workshops with local artisans, explore heritage sites on guided walks or take part in cooking sessions that bring local recipes to life. Joint sessions with local creatives, storytelling salons and musical evenings could also produce new ideas. Guided tours to ancient ruins, mosques and souks can offer insights into their historical and cultural significance.
Residencies ultimately culminate in the presentation of new works — exhibited locally, either at the residency site itself or in neighboring cultural centers, in addition to digital platforms and exhibitions at prominent museums or galleries across the globe. Many of these works could evolve into longer-term projects, such as fashion collections, documentary films, publications or performances.
By hosting global creatives in the heart of MENA’s most breathtaking natural and cultural landscapes, creative residencies have the potential to transform participants into storytellers and ambassadors of the region’s beauty and heritage. For the creatives, residencies offer deep inspiration, opportunities for regional and international collaboration and access to financing solutions and new audiences. For host countries, the benefits are equally extensive, as these residencies align closely with national strategies for the creative economy, cultural tourism and cultural diplomacy — positioning the region as a vibrant hub for contemporary expression and global cultural exchange.
The inspiring settings scattered across the MENA region offer an opportunity for today’s creative crowds to carve out their artistic dynasties in a memorable manner.

• Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children’s literature. She can be contacted at www.amorelicious.com.