The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) has signed a formal partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), formalizing two years of behind-the-scenes collaboration. Signed by NMAA director Chase Robinson and RCU chief executive Abeer Al Akel, the deal covers joint archaeological research, exhibition loans, curatorial exchange, and professional development, with a focus on the ancient site of Dadan, a key stop on the Incense Road. The partnership is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to rebrand the kingdom as a global cultural destination.
This agreement matters because it represents the latest in a series of high-profile cultural partnerships between Saudi Arabia and major Western institutions—including the Centre Pompidou, the Andy Warhol Museum, and Desert X—that have helped position AlUla as a rising cultural hub. However, these efforts have drawn criticism as “artwashing,” accused of deflecting attention from Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The deal also comes amid a broader geopolitical context, with the Trump administration announcing a $600 billion Saudi investment commitment to the U.S., including a $142 million arms deal.