Saudi Arabia launches Riyadh University of Arts with 13 colleges, aiming for 30,000 graduates by 2040

In a strategic move to strengthen its creative economy , Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of the Riyadh University of Arts (RUA), a landmark cultural education institution designed to elevate artistic talent, drive job creation, and align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. With a comprehensive academic framework and global collaborations, the university aims to play a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving cultural landscape.

Saudi launches Riyadh University of Arts as cultural cornerstone

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan formally announced the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts (RUA) during the Cultural Investment Conference 2025, held at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh. The initiative was described as a transformative investment in cultural education, and a milestone supported by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prince Bader described RUA as a "cornerstone for creative learning and cultural innovation," emphasizing its role in preparing the next generation of Saudi artists, scholars, and professionals to contribute meaningfully to the creative industries both locally and globally.

The university aims to rank among the top 50 international institutions specializing in the arts, with an educational environment focused on developing students’ creative capacities, fostering innovation, and enhancing the country’s cultural identity.

Saudi cultural education to expand across 13 disciplines

Riyadh University of Arts will be located in the Irqah district of Riyadh and will open in phases, starting with three founding colleges:

• College of Music
• College of Film
• College of Theatre & Performing Arts

These initial offerings will expand to 13 colleges over time, covering a broad spectrum of cultural and artistic disciplines, including:

• Architecture & Design
• Culinary Arts
• Visual Arts
• Photography
• Heritage Studies
• Literature
• Fashion
• Cultural Management
• Arts Management

RUA will offer a full academic portfolio, ranging from short courses and diplomas to bachelor’s, higher diplomas, master’s, and PhD programs. The goal is to support continuous education in arts and culture for students at all stages of their academic and professional journeys.

Full details of the university’s curriculum and enrollment plans will be published on RUA’s official website in the first quarter of 2026.

Saudi cultural sector sees rapid growth, global partnerships at center

To ensure global standards in cultural education, RUA has entered into strategic partnerships with leading international institutions. These collaborations will focus on curriculum design, joint research initiatives, faculty training, and student exchange programs.

The university will also offer scholarships to talented individuals across cultural fields, further expanding access to world-class creative education.

This initiative arrives amid a wider cultural sector transformation in Saudi Arabia:

• The cultural sector now contributes 1.6% to the Kingdom’s GDP.
• Employment in the sector has grown to 234,000 people.
• Cultural financial support is expected to reach $2 billion in 2024.
• Infrastructure investments in the cultural domain have surpassed SAR81 billion.
• 89 agreements worth over SAR5 billion were signed at the Cultural Investment Conference to boost private sector involvement.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the demand for skilled cultural professionals is projected to grow at a rate of 7% annually, leading to the creation of over 300,000 new jobs over the next decade. RUA is expected to be a direct contributor to this talent pipeline, with a goal to:

• Graduate 25,000 to 30,000 students by 2040
• Train 1,000 to 1,500 teachers to support sector growth
  

Saudi investment conference showcases global cultural leaders

The two-day Cultural Investment Conference 2025, under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, served as the platform for the RUA announcement and featured 38 panel discussions with over 100 speakers from across the global creative economy.

High-profile speakers included:

• Charles Stewart, CEO of Sotheby’s
• Guillaume Cerutti, Chairman of Christie’s
• Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel
• Tony Vinciquerra, Non-Executive Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment

Key themes explored at the event included sustainable creative production, future investment in cultural infrastructure, and the role of public-private partnerships in developing cultural industries.

The conference emphasized the strategic role the private sector plays in Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem, highlighting how institutions like RUA are essential to converting Vision 2030’s cultural ambitions into long-term economic and creative value.