Empowering children through creativity at the Diriyah Biennale in Saudi Arabia
How Deutsche Bank is helping expand access to art for children with special needs in Saudi Arabia
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How Deutsche Bank is helping expand access to art for children with special needs in Saudi Arabia
Art has the power to unlock imagination, build confidence and create meaningful connections. For children with special needs, it can also provide a vital channel for self-expression and independence.
At the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026, Deutsche Bank supported a dedicated CSR public programme as Special Projects Partner, helping to create inclusive art experiences for children with special needs in collaboration with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Through workshops and a special event marking Arab Orphans Day during Ramadan, the initiative used art to foster creativity, confidence and belonging.
The programme reflected Deutsche Bank’s long standing commitment to using art to create social impact and broaden access to cultural experiences.
Making art accessible: Inclusive workshops at Diriyah Biennale
Over the course of the Biennale, 12 workshops supported by Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation were delivered by trained educators and supported by university volunteers. Each was designed to be inclusive and hands on, giving children the space to explore materials, textures and ideas at their own pace.
Highlights from the workshops:
Children created imagined animals using clay and mixed materials, translating personal memories into creative forms.
A tactile introduction to colour, texture and expression through painting on solid surfaces.
Focused on layering, mark making and sensory exploration through soft materials.
Encouraged calm, concentration and collaboration through hands-on, repetitive techniques.
Across all sessions, the emphasis remained the same: accessibility, encouragement and dignity. There was no right outcome, only the experience of creating.
Beyond the studio: marking Arab Orphans Day
Deutsche Bank’s engagement extended beyond workshops. During the holy month of Ramadan, and in observance of Arab Orphans Day, the bank also supported a special Orphans’ Suhoor at the Biennale in collaboration with Kayan Organisation for Orphans.
More than 50 children took part in an evening that combined cultural engagement with hospitality and care. The programme included a guided tour of the Biennale exhibitions and shared Suhoor, creating a warm and communal setting centred on inclusion and belonging.
Why inclusive cultural access matters
The programme gave children with special needs the opportunity not only to make art, but to engage with one of Saudi Arabia’s leading cultural platforms in a setting designed around their needs.
Public cultural spaces do not always feel open to everyone. Through this partnership, Deutsche Bank helped make that inclusion visible in practice – showing how art and corporate responsibility can work together in a direct and thoughtful way.
For further information, please contact:
Deutsche Bank AG
Press & Media Relations
Mohanad Nahas
E-Mail: mohanad.nahas@db.com
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