Riyadh University of Arts Heralds New Chapter in Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Creativity
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has issued a royal decree approving the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts (RUA), as a specialized academic institution, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Based in Riyadh and supervised by the Ministry of Culture, the university will operate under its own governing regulations and will include 13 specialized colleges in culture and arts.
On this occasion, the Saudi Culture Minister and chairman of the RUA Board of Trustees, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, appreciated the decision, extending his gratitude to King Salman and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for their steady support for the cultural sector.
This support bolsters Saudi Arabia’s regional and international cultural role and cements its position as a hub for cultural creativity and a leader in the creative economy.
In partnership with leading academic institutions specializing in culture and the arts, #RiyadhUniversityofArts will offer pioneering education across its 13 specialized colleges.#SaudiVision2030 pic.twitter.com/0nL4TLGISQ
— بدر بن عبدالله بن فرحان آل سعود (@BadrFAlSaud) March 14, 2026
The establishment of RUA is one of the National Culture Strategy’s initiatives aimed at fostering cultural skills and enhancing national competencies to meet the growing demand in cultural sectors.
This also aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which has positioned culture as a key pillar for strengthening national identity, promoting cultural exchange and enhancing creativity.
In light of this, Prince Badr emphasized that RUA’s vision centers on global leadership in arts and culture, boosting the contribution of the cultural sector to the Kingdom’s civilizational, scientific, and economic progress through advanced academic programs and research initiatives.
The establishment of the RUA was first announced during the Cultural Investment Conference, which took place in Riyadh in September 2025.
The university 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,” the Saudi Culture Minister said at the time.
