Riyadh | BETH
April 12, 2026

The Museums Commission inaugurated the Black Gold Museum in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KAPSARC, and His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Museums Commission. This step represents a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.

The museum, located within the KAPSARC complex, is the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive narrative of the history of oil in the Kingdom and showcasing the profound transformations it has brought about in the course of humanity through the lens of modern and contemporary art. It provides visitors with a unique interactive experience with “black gold.”

His Royal Highness the Minister of Energy explained that the museum is the result of collaboration between the cultural ecosystem, represented by the Museums Commission, and the energy ecosystem, represented by KAPSARC, presenting a comprehensive reading of the history of petroleum and its far-reaching impact on various aspects of economic and social life.

For his part, His Highness the Minister of Culture indicated that the Black Gold Museum represents an important milestone in the artistic sector and global cultural dialogue. He affirmed that it is the first permanent museum dedicated to oil and art, providing an exceptional space for inspiring reflection and critical thinking, and celebrating the transformative power of culture in shaping our understanding of the world.

The inauguration of the museum reflects the Museums Commission’s commitment to preserving and promoting heritage, history, and culture for future generations, in addition to supporting the creative scene and developing new forms of artistic expression in the Kingdom, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program.

The museum presents oil from a human, cultural, and artistic perspective, distinct from traditional science or industrial museums. It features a permanent collection of more than 350 modern and contemporary artworks, created by over 170 Saudi and international artists from more than 30 countries, including Manal AlDowayan, Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, Mohammed Alfaraj, Ayman Zedani, Doug Aitken, Jimmie Durham, Dennis Hopper, Alfredo Jaar, Renaud Lairac, George Sabra, Pascale Marthine Tayou, and Andy Wauman, among other prominent artists.

The museum also includes large-scale art installations, photographic works, and historical documents that enable visitors to explore the impact of oil on shaping societies, economies, and daily lifestyles. It consists of four interactive sections: “The Encounter,” “Dreams,” “Doubts,” and “Visions,” each presenting a different stage in the journey of oil and its far-reaching influences.

The museum is housed in an iconic building designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, while the interior spaces were developed by DaeWha Kang Design, reflecting the integration of art and architecture in delivering a distinguished cultural experience.

BETH Insight

The Black Gold Museum represents a qualitative addition to Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, reflecting a shift from viewing oil merely as an economic resource to recognizing it as a cultural and human element that has contributed to shaping national identity and the Kingdom’s development journey. It also enhances Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for cultural and artistic dialogue, embodying the integration of culture and energy within a comprehensive strategic vision.