عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Saudi Minister of Culture Announces Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan made the announcement at the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh on Monday. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan made the announcement at the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh on Monday. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)
TT
TT

Saudi Minister of Culture Announces Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan made the announcement at the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh on Monday. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan made the announcement at the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh on Monday. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced on Monday the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts (RUA).

As one of the most significant investments in cultural education, the university aspires to become a hub for cultural education in the Kingdom, offering a range of degrees that equip students to impact the creative industries further and drive growth in the Kingdom’s cultural sector, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, said a statement by the Ministry of Culture.

Speaking at the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference, which kicked off in Riyadh, the minister said: "We are proud to launch Riyadh University of Arts as an extraordinary step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector which enjoys unlimited support from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.”

“This institution will serve as a cornerstone for creative education and cultural innovation, enabling our students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and vision that will shape the Kingdom’s cultural future,” he added. “By supporting talents and celebrating our heritage, we aim to equip the next generation with the skills necessary to boost the creative economy's growth. Through this pioneering university, we empower Saudi artists and creators to leave their unique mark on the local and international cultural stage.”

The university aims to rank among the world’s top 50 international universities specializing in arts and culture, with a mission to cultivate an innovative education environment that empowers students to discover their passions, develop their talents, promote creativity, and contribute to the creative economy, he went on to say.

RUA will cater to educational levels through gradual phasing, covering all subsectors and offering a comprehensive academic portfolio that ensures continuous education in the fields of arts and culture. RUA’s academic offerings include short courses, diplomas, bachelor’s, higher diplomas, master’s, and PhDs.

Located in its Irqah campus in Riyadh, the university will launch through its first three colleges: Music, Film, and Theatre & Performing Arts. Colleges will gradually expand to thirteen colleges, offering programs across a range of disciplines, including Architecture & Design, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, Heritage Studies, Literature, Cultural Management, Arts Management, Fashion, and more.

RUA will also provide scholarships for cultural talents. Full details of the university will be announced on the university’s official website when it launches in the first quarter of 2026.

The university has built partnerships with leading international institutions to design academic programs, collaborate in research, and offer enriching programs in cultural education and development. With a focus on fostering creativity and building entrepreneurial skills, RUA aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s talent pipeline, empowering artists, scholars, and cultural leaders to drive growth within Saudi Arabia and contribute to shaping the Kingdom’s cultural future.

RUA will directly contribute to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the cultural sector. This field is expected to see 7% annual growth in demand for qualified cultural talents, creating over 300,000 new jobs over the next decade.

With its focus on nurturing talent, RUA will become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s economic strategy, driving the cultural sector to contribute over SAR80 billion to the national economy by 2030. The university aims to supply the cultural sector with qualified professionals by graduating 25,000-30,000 students by 2040 and training 1,000-1,500 teachers to support this growth.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
TT
TT

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

French investigators remain determined to find the imperial jewels stolen from the Louvre in October, a prosecutor has told AFP.

Police believe they have arrested all four thieves who carried out the brazen October 19 robbery, making off with jewelry worth an estimated $102 million from the world-famous museum.

"The interrogations have not produced any new investigative elements," top Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said this week, three months after the broad-daylight heist.

But the case remains a top priority, she underlined.

"Our main objective is still to recover the jewelry," she said.

That Sunday morning in October, thieves parked a mover's truck with an extendable ladder below the Louvre's Apollo Gallery housing the French crown jewels.

Two of the thieves climbed up the ladder, broke a window and used angle grinders to cut glass display booths containing the treasures, while the other two waited below, investigators say.

The four then fled on high-powered motor scooters, dropping a diamond-and-emerald crown in their hurry.

But eight other items of jewelry -- including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise -- remain at large.

Beccuau said investigators were keeping an open mind as to where the loot might be.

"We don't have any signals indicating that the jewelry is likely to have crossed the border," she said, though she added: "Anything is possible."

Detectives benefitted from contacts with "intermediaries in the art world, including internationally" as they pursued their probe.

"They have ways of receiving warning signals about networks of receivers of stolen goods, including abroad," Beccuau said.

As for anyone coming forward to hand over the jewels, that would be considered to be "active repentance, which could be taken into consideration" later during a trial, she said.

A fifth suspect, a 38-year-old woman who is the partner of one of the men, has been charged with being an accomplice but was released under judicial supervision pending a trial.

Investigators still had no idea if someone had ordered the theft.

"We refuse to have any preconceived notions about what might have led the individuals concerned to commit this theft," the prosecutor said.

But she said detectives and investigating magistrates were resolute.

"We haven't said our last word. It will take as long as it takes," she said.

Culture

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA
Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA
TT
TT

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA
Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA

Arts AlUla has announced the lineup of Saudi and international artists participating in the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla, the international open-air art exhibition held in collaboration with Desert X.

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks, ranging from large-scale installations and sound pieces that stretch across and beneath the desert landscape, to kinetic works and immersive interactive experiences.

The showcase reflects a deep connection to AlUla’s unique environment, its dramatic natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

Desert X AlUla, the region’s first public art biennial, will feature 11 artists presenting diverse perspectives, materials, and artistic traditions in their large-scale works in its 2026 edition.

The program offers a delightful mix of performances and interactive family activities, alongside dedicated programs that blend sound, movement, storytelling, and play.

Also, the visitor pavilion will host a live music program curated in collaboration with AlUla Music Hub, creating moments where art, nature, and community converge in a shared experience shaped by rhythm and a strong sense of place.

Arts AlUla confirmed that Desert X AlUla 2026 will be open to the public.

Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Tuesday the discovery of 20 ancient rock art sites within the Soudah Peaks area.

Spanning more than 636.5 square kilometers across Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa, the project area is now recognized as home to some of the region’s oldest cultural landmarks. The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, offering valuable insights into the region’s rich history.

The findings include Thamudic inscriptions, along with vivid depictions of ibex, hyenas, and ostriches, as well as scenes of hunters, dancers, palm trees, and weapons, reflecting the environmental and social practices of the ancient communities that once inhabited the area.

The survey forms part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Heritage Commission and Soudah Development. Conducted in four scientific phases, the initiative began with data collection and site analysis, concluding with the documentation and classification of high-value archaeological sites in preparation for future development and preservation efforts.

Soudah Development remains committed to protecting and promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the project area. The company continues to work towards creating an integrated cultural and tourism experience that reflects the authenticity and historical richness of the region, in line with its vision to transform Soudah Peaks into a premier luxury mountain destination rooted in heritage.