The residency programme developed further the previous research projects Out of Britain and Out of Kuwait and involved working directly with Saudi Arabian artists supporting research and reflection upon the landscape of Saudi Arabia, the social - political, geographical and psychological. The programme also explored the history of how artist's local or vernacular spaces have been given form through painting, film, photography and performance. Also how national and regional art educational institutions across the Gulf have shaped artists in their reflections of their immediate environments. The programme attracted artists from the Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait City, and
the Oman.

The residency programme was designed by Professor David Rayson assisted by three RCA Painting Graduates, and took place over ten days in Jeddah.

The residency schedule included visits to local environments in and around Jeddah, and journeys out into the desert between Jeddah and Mecca. These visits were followed by in depth discussions and art workshops, and artists talk surgeries. Also scheduled were visits to key public and commercial galleries and educational institutions. There were also presentations of previous research and artist talks by Professor David Rayson at local Universities and presentations to the residency artists by the RCA graduates.

This collaborative research was conducted towards planning another series of major exhibitions and a future publication funded through the British Council and associated partners.

As the Gulf region begins to open up culturally to the west, these collaborations and research are significant in developing knowledge and collaborative research.