Saudi Arabia will establish the Riyadh University of Arts (RUA), upon a royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
As an independent academic institution, the RUA will feature 13 colleges specialized in culture and arts and will operate under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Culture.
The Riyadh University of Arts was first announced during the Cultural Investment Conference, held in Saudi Arabia’s capital in September 2025.
On this occasion, the Saudi Culture Minister and chairman of the RUA Board of Trustees, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support for the cultural sector.
Prince Badr said that this support strengthens the Kingdom’s regional and international cultural role, boosting its status as a platform for cultural creativity and a pioneer in the creative economy, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The RUA‘s establishment aligns with the National Culture Strategy. It is one of the initiatives designed to enhance cultural capacities and bolster national competencies to meet the increasing demand in cultural sectors.
Furthermore, it advances the objectives of Vision 2030, focusing on culture as a cornerstone for strengthening national identity, cultural exchange and creativity.
In this context, the Saudi Culture Minister noted that the Riyadh University of Arts vision puts emphasis on leadership in global arts and culture, as well as developing cultural sectors and enhancing their contributions to the civilizational, scientific, and economic landscape through advanced academic programs and research initiatives.
