Riyadh, April 26 (QNA) - Saudi Arabia has announced plans to establish a dedicated museum for contemporary art, aimed at serving as a global platform for Saudi and international artists, as part of initiatives led by the Saudi Museums Commission.

The Diriyah Company said on Sunday it had awarded a contract worth SAR 1.84 billion (approximately $490 million) to a consortium of Saudi firms for the construction of the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the flagship projects of the Saudi Museums Commission in the field of contemporary art.

The museum will be built on an area of 45,252 square meters, with a total development footprint of 77,428 square meters. The main building will be designed by the UK-based architectural firm Goodwin Austen Johnson.

CEO of the Saudi Museums Commission, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Hammad, said the museum will showcase works by Saudi artists across different generations while fostering international cultural dialogue.

He added that the museum is expected to serve as a dynamic platform and a source of inspiration for diverse segments of society.

The new museum will be located in Diriyah, a major integrated urban development project that will include museums, retail areas, a university, Diriyah Opera House, Diriyah Arena, alongside a range of cultural and entertainment facilities. (QNA)