Saudi Arabia has officially opened the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh, marking the world’s first permanent institution dedicated to the artistic interpretation of oil, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The museum was inaugurated by Energy Minister and KAPSARC Chairman Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman alongside Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.
Located within the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), the museum explores the global transformation sparked by oil through a contemporary artistic lens to re-evaluate the cultural and human legacy of “black gold.”
Housed in the landmark Zaha Hadid-designed building with interiors by DaeWha Kang Design, the Black Gold Museum features a permanent collection of over 350 masterpieces from more than 30 countries.
The exhibition highlights works from over 170 prominent Saudi and international artists, including renowned names such as Ahmed Mater, Manal AlDowayan, Doug Aitken, and Dennis Hopper.
These displays consist of large-scale installations, photography, and historical documents that track how oil has influenced modern societies, global economies, and everyday life.
The museum experience is organized into four interactive sections that guide visitors through a chronological and thematic narrative of energy. The first section, Encounter, traces the 19th-century industrial origins of oil as a catalyst for growth, while Dreams examines petroleum as a driver of national ambition and modern convenience.
"My small family and I will be among the first visitors to this museum."
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy and Chairman of KAPSARC’s Board of Trustees.
The opening of #theBlackGoldMuseum… A journey into the story of… pic.twitter.com/8apyq9AY7Z
— متحف الذهب الأسود | Black Gold Museum (@BGM_moc) April 7, 2026
Shifting to a more reflective tone, Doubts offers an exploration of the complex consequences of energy dependency, leading finally to Visions, which focuses on the future of energy through a dynamic and forward-looking program.
Supported by the Quality of Life Program, the Black Gold Museum serves as a key initiative in realizing the cultural and social goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
