Saudi Arabia is opening a fine arts and culture academy in public schools where students can learn science and math in the morning and train in theatre, music, and visual arts in the afternoon.
This new school model gives space for students to grow academically and artistically at the same time. It’s led by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and begins in the 2025–2026 academic year.
The first campuses are in Riyadh and Jeddah, each with space for 500 students. Classrooms will follow national curriculum standards, while dedicated studios and rehearsal halls give students real training time in their chosen field.
It’s part of a wider plan to bring creative education into everyday learning. And it’s designed to stay.
Vision 2030 Brings Arts into Education
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 highlights culture as a key part of the quality of life. This includes supporting young people who want to build creative skills and apply them in real careers.
In 2019, the Ministry of Culture launched national commissions for music, theatre, and visual arts. In 2022, the Ministry of Education joined efforts to build creative talent through schools. The first goal was to introduce extracurricular arts programs across the country. The second was to create full learning centers focused on creative education.
This academy brings those ideas together. It provides students with both general studies and structured arts training, led by teachers and mentors from across the Kingdom’s creative sectors.
Campus Locations and Learning Facilities
The academy opens with two campuses in 2025. One is based in Riyadh’s Al-Nakheel District for boys. The other is in Jeddah’s North Obhur District, welcoming girls. Each site has a capacity for 500 students during the first phase.
Both schools are purpose-built for creative and academic learning. Classrooms follow the Ministry of Education’s national curriculum. Alongside those are custom-designed studios, performance halls, and labs tailored for each major.
The Riyadh campus includes a black-box theatre, recording studio, percussion lab, and eight visual arts ateliers. In Jeddah, students will have access to a 350-seat auditorium, a choral rehearsal wing, and a full computer-assisted design lab.
The buildings follow LEED-Gold sustainability standards. The Ministry of Culture has set aside SAR 180 million for equipment, technology, and upgrades over three years.
Daily Schedule and Curriculum Structure
Students follow a two-part day. Mornings are dedicated to core subjects—Arabic, math, science, English, and social studies—taught through interactive and project-based methods. In the afternoon, students move into their chosen arts track for guided studio time and practice.
There are four available majors: Visual Arts, Theatre and Acting, Music Instrumental, and Music Vocal. Each student trains in one track through a mentor-led approach with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Creative work is evaluated through performance, portfolio, and participation.
Students receive 25 hours per week in academic subjects and 15 hours in arts instruction. This balance exceeds international benchmarks for integrating arts into general education.
Here’s how the tracks work:
Visual Arts Track
The visual arts track in the arts and culture academy in Saudi schools covers drawing, sculpture, digital illustration, and heritage-inspired design. Students begin with foundational techniques and build toward advanced portfolio work in upper grades.
Theatre and Acting Track
This track focuses on stage presence, dramatic reading, movement, and multimedia production. Students explore both classical and contemporary forms, with at least one public performance per year.
Music Tracks
Instrumental students can study piano, oud, strings, and percussion. Vocal students train in both Arabic maqām and choral traditions. Visiting artists from the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts join throughout the year for workshops and masterclasses.
Admissions and Student Selection
Enrollment begins with an online application. Students submit a short portfolio or performance video, depending on their chosen track. From there, they attend an in-person audition or interview. Final selection is based on both artistic ability and academic readiness.
Each campus admits up to 500 students in the first year. The process is designed to reach talent across different regions, with digital tools helping students in remote areas apply with ease.
What Happens Next
The academy opens for its first full academic year in August 2026. Renovations for both campuses are already underway. Teacher hiring begins later this year, with mentors and subject specialists joining from across Saudi Arabia.
As the program grows, more grade levels will be added. The long-term plan includes regional expansion and summer programs in partnership with cultural institutions.
Partners and Support
The academy works with some of the Kingdom’s most respected creative institutions. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts contributes to the visual arts and calligraphy. The Music Commission supplies instruments and support. Even students in theatre will have a chance to intern during major events like Riyadh Season.
Top students will also have access to summer intensives, supported by groups like Ithra and other cultural sponsors.
A New Chapter for Creative Learning in Saudi Arabia
The arts and culture academy marks a shift in how education is being shaped across Saudi Arabia. It gives students a space to think, create, and grow in ways that go beyond the usual classroom setup.
The focus is to help young people build their talents early and give them the tools to turn those skills into something real. Whether a student dreams of becoming a stage actor, a musician, a designer, or just wants a school day that feels more alive, this model creates that space.
As campuses open and more students walk through those doors, the impact will grow. Not just in test scores or statistics, but in confidence, in imagination, and in what this next generation carries forward.
FAQs
What is the new arts and culture academy in Saudi Arabia?
It’s a government-backed school combining academic education with visual arts, music, and theatre training for students in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Who can apply to Saudi Arabia’s public arts and culture academy?
Students in eligible age groups can apply online with a portfolio or audition video. Final selection is based on artistic and academic performance.
What subjects are taught at the arts and culture academy?
Students follow a blended schedule with core academic subjects in the morning and dedicated training in visual arts, music, or theatre in the afternoon.
Where are the academy campuses located in Saudi Arabia?
The first two campuses are in Riyadh and Jeddah, with separate facilities for boys and girls, each designed for 500 students during the initial phase.
How does the arts academy support Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia?
The academy helps develop creative talent and expands access to cultural education, supporting Vision 2030’s goal of growing Saudi Arabia’s creative economy.
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