Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has launched its first-of-its-kind Academy for Arts and Culture, aimed at discovering, nurturing, and developing cultural talents among students in public education.

The academy is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and will open its doors in the 2025–2026 academic year.

It will initially enroll 4th-grade elementary and 1st-year intermediate students across two campuses: one for boys in Al-Nakheel district in Riyadh and one for girls in North Obhur district in Jeddah.

Blending accredited academic education with specialized cultural programs, the academy offers an enriched environment targeting students gifted in fields such as drawing, theater, music, and singing. Future expansion will include all grade levels and additional regions.

The academy delivers a full daily schedule that combines standard curriculum from the Ministry of Education with intensive cultural instruction.

The day is divided into two sessions: a morning session for core subjects and an afternoon session for creative programs.

Admission is open to talented students through the academy’s official website and involves a three-stage process: online registration, performance evaluation and personal interview, and final acceptance—subject to available seats and successful completion of all assessment stages.

The academy falls under the umbrella of the national Cultural Talent Development Strategy, designed to integrate arts and culture into public education.

It seeks to build creative skills among the younger generation, link educational outcomes with cultural sector needs, and promote long-term sustainability in Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem.