His Highness, the Minister of Culture, and the Minister of Education inaugurated the Academy of Arts and Culture, coinciding with the honoring of the winners of the Cultural Skills Competition
In the presence of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, and His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, the Ministries of Cultures and Education inaugurated the Afaq Academy of Arts and Culture today, coinciding with the closing ceremony of the Cultural Skills Competition. The ceremony took place at the academy's headquarters in the Al-Nakheel district of Riyadh and included participation from several cultural and educational leaders. The event highlighted the cultural creativity of students during the third edition of the national competition organized by the two ministries to identify talented students across various stages of general education.
The inauguration of Afaq Academy of Arts and Culture by His Highness the Minister of Culture and His Excellency the Minister of Education marks a groundbreaking national initiative, the first of its kind in the Kingdom and the region. The academy serves as an integrated model designed to nurture talented students from general education in the fields of culture and arts. It combines academic curricula with specialized cultural and artistic tracks, enabling students to develop their talents in visual, musical, and performing arts while providing them with an innovative educational experience that merges knowledge and creativity.
The academy has initiated its first phase in Riyadh for boys and Jeddah for girls, focusing on fourth-grade elementary and first-year intermediate school students. This initiative is part of a gradual expansion plan designed to eventually encompass all levels of general education throughout the Kingdom in the coming years. Moreover, the academy offers a modern and well-balanced learning environment, equipped with advanced facilities, theaters, and specialized studios.
During the closing ceremony of the Cultural Skills Competition, winners in each competition track were announced, and their winning works were displayed. Three winners were selected for each category, which includes theater, singing, digital art, playing instruments, handicrafts, photography, short stories, films, and manga. The ceremony concluded with the announcement that registration is now open for the fourth edition of the Cultural Skills Competition.
The third edition of the competition continues the efforts of previous editions, as the Ministries of Culture and Education seek to discover and develop students' skills. They aim to guide students' passions toward various cultural and artistic fields, preserve the Kingdom's cultural heritage, raise awareness about it, and ensure the optimal utilization of students' potential. The competition went through several stages, starting with field preparation. This was followed by the launch of the competition, the receipt of registration requests, and initial sorting and arbitration. The education departments' ceremony took place next, followed by personal interviews and a training camp. The process concluded with final arbitration and a closing ceremony that celebrated the outstanding entries.
The Cultural Skills Competition and the Afaq Academy of Arts and Culture are crucial components of a strategy designed to enhance cultural capabilities. This strategy, initiated by the Ministries of Culture and Education, aims to promote culture and the arts, identify cultural and artistic talents, and integrate these elements into general education curricula. The initiative emphasizes the development of cultural and artistic skills among younger generations, ensuring that educational outcomes meet the needs of the cultural market. Furthermore, it promotes sustainability within the cultural sector and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly regarding advancements in culture and education.