الثقافة بين الإبداع والتمكين !

Before Vision 2030, culture and its artistic paths in Saudi Arabia were merely a means to satisfy hobbies, showcase talents, and entertain the audience. However, with the launch of the vision, the sector transformed with the issuance of regulatory legislation and the establishment of driving institutions under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture into an added value to the economy and one of the essential elements in improving the quality of life!

This transformation, which was accompanied by qualitative growth in activity with the redefinition of creative artistic identity and its connection to culture, necessitated the development of a package of programs and initiatives for the production of creative arts in all its forms, the absorption of its advanced technologies, and the creation of an environment that nurtures talents and provides tools for honing them. Thus, the need arose to establish specialized bodies and institutions in the fields of heritage, film, music, fashion, visual and performing arts to create professional, enabling, and regulated incubators to achieve the desired impact. Among the most prominent of these initiatives is the Riyadh University of Arts, which was announced by the Minister of Culture, aimed at achieving this goal. The university is expected to contribute to building capacities and developing talents in various arts, especially through anticipated partnerships with prestigious international artistic institutions, meeting the need for education that transcends traditional methods and enhances the interconnection of cultural disciplines!

There is no doubt that the connection between culture and the creative economy today has become strong, as it is one of the non-oil growth drivers, as stated in the vision's objectives. The impact achieved in the renaissance of the cultural sector across its various creative paths will be effective in empowering talents, growing businesses, attracting investors, and creating job opportunities to achieve the vision's objectives, localizing specialized knowledge, and building stimulating incubators for an attractive investment ecosystem, impactful entertainment, and professional education that supports creative cultural industries!

The Saudi cultural sector, in general, has contributed to a growth of over 20% in the national economy, as stated in the Cultural Status Report issued by the Ministry of Culture for the year 2023. It is also expected that the sector will witness a 7% annual growth in demand for jobs, reaching 346,000 jobs by 2030!

In short, we are at the dawn of a new phase in the production of culture and arts and the support of artists in Saudi Arabia, which should be titled: Creativity and Empowerment!