Saudi Arabia is putting culture on the academic map. Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan has announced plans for the Riyadh University of Arts (RUA), an institution designed to nurture creative talent and elevate the Kingdom’s cultural sector.
Unveiled during the Cultural Investment Conference 2025, the new university aims high: to break into the world’s top 50 specialized arts and culture universities. The launch is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader economic vision, which includes plans to triple the cultural sector’s contribution to the economy by 2030.
Set to launch in 2026, the university will partner with leading global institutions and blend theory with hands-on practice. Its programs span diplomas to PhDs, covering everything from short courses to advanced research degrees.
The scale is ambitious—13 colleges dedicated to the arts, including theater and performing arts, music, visual arts, photography, digital arts, art history, and cultural management. The first intake will launch under three core schools: Music, Film, and Theatre & Performing Arts.
Beyond teaching, the Riyadh University of Arts wants to be a hub of inspiration. Its mission: to give students not just technical skills but also a space to explore identity, creativity, and cultural exchange, placing Saudi Arabia at the center of the region’s artistic renaissance.
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