The Ministry of Culture, in a strategic partnership with King Saud University in Riyadh, inaugurated the College of Arts at the university, marking the first specialized Saudi college dedicated to arts education in the Kingdom.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Sunday at the university theater in the presence of Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez and President of King Saud University Dr. Badran bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, along with culture and arts enthusiasts across the Kingdom.
In his speech during the ceremony, Fayez affirmed that the new College of Arts reflects the importance attached by Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan to education and its role in cultural growth.
He emphasized the role of education in the development and advancement of the cultural sector under Saudi Vision 2030.
Fayez further noted that the establishment of the college is a significant milestone in the development of higher cultural education in the Kingdom, with a substantial impact on national cultural development. He highlighted that this step will lay the foundation for an academic path required for nurturing creative talents and fostering cultural advancement.
Fayez said the establishment of the college is part of the strategic partnership between the Culture Ministry and King Saud University, representing one of the first tangible outcomes of the collaborative efforts made with local universities. These efforts aim to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for Culture and the strategy for the development of cultural capacities derived from it. The goal is to meet the demands of the job market and provide highly competent cultural professionals who will lead the sector towards achieving ambitious national goals.
Fayez stated that the college is launching with three departments dedicated to the specialties of design, performing arts, and visual arts. He emphasized that this is “[just] the beginning of a continuous scientific and cultural cooperation with King Saud University and our other prestigious national universities.”
After the ceremony, the attendees visited the accompanying exhibition of the newly launched college, where they learned about the Saudi cultural sector and the available opportunities for students to develop their capabilities and pursue careers in cultural professions.
They also learned about the objectives of launching the first college of arts in the Kingdom, which include offering high-quality specialized academic programs adhering to national and international standards. Additionally, the college aims to establish a supportive educational and artistic environment for research and innovation, attracting exceptional and talented students based on specific admission criteria.
The college also seeks to prepare graduates who are technically, scientifically, and professionally qualified. The college is assigned to conduct specialized research and scientific studies in the field of arts.
