Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of Riyadh University of Arts, a first-of-its-kind cultural and creative institution, unveiled by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan during the opening of the Cultural Investment Forum. Here are the key points you need to know.
Riyadh University of Arts will be Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated cultural university, designed to serve as a hub for creative education.
It will provide academic programs across multiple cultural disciplines, aiming to nurture talent and strengthen the Kingdom’s creative industries.
The initiative is considered a groundbreaking investment in cultural education. Prince Badr said the university will act as a cornerstone for creative learning and cultural innovation, supported by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
It reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to empower the next generation of cultural leaders and artists, while also celebrating the Kingdom’s heritage.
The university aims to be ranked among the top 50 global institutions specializing in arts and culture.
It will provide an academic path that ranges from short courses and diplomas to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the creative economy at home and abroad.
The campus will be based in Riyadh’s Irqah district.
The university will launch with three core colleges:
* The College of Music
* The College of Film
* The College of Theater and Performing Arts
It will gradually expand to 13 colleges covering architecture and design, culinary arts, visual arts, heritage studies, literature, cultural management, fashion, and more.
Yes. Riyadh University of Arts will offer scholarships for cultural talents, with details to be announced in early 2026 when the official university website launches.
The university is building partnerships with leading global academic and cultural institutions to design advanced curricula, conduct research, and enrich educational programs. These collaborations will also help develop Saudi talent by fostering creativity, innovation, and leadership in the cultural sector.
The cultural sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by 7 percent annually, creating over 300,000 new jobs in the next decade.
Riyadh University of Arts is projected to contribute significantly to this growth, helping the sector add more than SR80 billion to the national economy by 2030.
By 2040, it expects to graduate between 25,000 and 30,000 students and train up to 1,500 teachers.
The Ministry of Culture, which oversees 11 cultural commissions, is reforming the sector by enhancing regulation, improving the investment climate, and supporting talent development.
Riyadh University of Arts will be a key driver of this effort, helping build a sustainable, globally competitive cultural ecosystem.
