The Saudi Ministries of Culture and Education have inaugurated the Afaq Academy for Arts and Culture in the presence of Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Education Minister Yousef Al Benyan. The launch marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to advance cultural and creative education for young learners.
Ceremony Aligns with Cultural Skills Competition Finale
The inauguration took place on Wednesday during the closing ceremony of the Cultural Skills Competition at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh. The event gathered leading cultural and educational figures and celebrated the achievements of students who participated in the third edition of the national competition. The initiative, introduced by both ministries, aims to identify, encourage, and nurture talented students from all levels of public education.
Afaq Academy as a First of Its Kind in the Kingdom
The establishment of the Afaq Academy for Arts and Culture represents a pioneering national and regional step. As the first academy of its kind in Saudi Arabia, it offers a comprehensive model designed to develop artistic and cultural talents among public school students. The academy blends academic curricula with specialised programmes in the visual, musical, and performing arts, creating a learning environment that unites knowledge with creativity.
This integrated approach enables students to build essential artistic skills, explore cultural expression, and experience innovative educational pathways that support their personal and creative growth.
Phased Rollout Across Riyadh and Jeddah
The academy’s initial phase has launched in Riyadh for boys and in Jeddah for girls. It currently targets students in the fourth grade of elementary school and the first year of middle school. Plans are in place for a gradual expansion to include all public education levels and all regions of the Kingdom in the coming years.
State of the Art Facilities Designed to Inspire Creativity
Afaq Academy is equipped with modern facilities, including theatres, studios, and specialised learning spaces that support a balanced and engaging educational environment. These facilities are designed to inspire excellence and provide students with access to advanced tools and resources that enhance their artistic capabilities.
Celebrating Student Creativity Across Multiple Disciplines
During the Cultural Skills Competition’s closing ceremony, winners were announced across a variety of artistic and cultural categories. These included theatre, singing, digital art, instrumental music, handicrafts, photography, short story, film, and manga. The event concluded with the announcement of the opening of registration for the competition’s fourth edition, reflecting the ongoing commitment to expanding creative opportunity for students in the Kingdom.
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