JEDDAH: The chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Alalshikh, launched a new national program to unearth young, entertaining talents called “GEA Challenges” on Wednesday.
The program aims to discover and help develop local talents, especially in fields that reflect Saudi Arabian culture.
There are currently 20 categories that people can choose to enter, including music, comedy, graffiti art and acting, whilst the GEA have also said that they are open to suggestions for further categories, should there be sufficient demand for them.
Successful applicants will receive part of a fund of SR20 million ($5.3 million) to train and take their talents to an international audience. The winners of each category will receive SR500,000, with the second-placed candidates winning SR300,000 and those in third place netting SR200,000.
Entry applications will open on Wednesday, Feb. 6 through the program’s website, and successful applicants will be evaluated and nominated for the live stage between May 1 and June 31. Live performances and judging will be held between July 1 and Aug. 31, after which the public will be allowed to vote for their favorite. The winners will be announced in October.
Registration forms, a full list of the categories currently on offer, and all terms and conditions, copyrights and other information can be found on the program’s website: geachallenges.com
GEA launches largest program yet to discover local talent in Saudi Arabia
https://arab.news/rpr5g
GEA launches largest program yet to discover local talent in Saudi Arabia
- There are currently 20 categories that people can choose to enter
- The winners will be announced in October
Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah
- The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz
RIYADH: A new center for Arabic calligraphy under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially opened in Madinah on Monday.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah region.
He was joined by Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, touring the new facility’s exhibition spaces and receiving briefings on cultural programming and the center’s achievements.
They also viewed collections highlighting Arabic calligraphy’s artistic and historical importance.
Speaking at the opening, Prince Badr said: “From this land of enlightenment and scholarship, we proudly launch a global platform dedicated to Arabic calligraphy as an invaluable cultural asset.”
He went on to credit the crown prince’s “generous and boundless support” for the cultural sector.
The minister said that the center demonstrated to the world the legacy of Arabic calligraphy while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural identity and heritage.
According to Prince Badr, the facility represents an ambitious vision to elevate Arabic calligraphy as both a universal communication tool and an integral element of Arab heritage, art, architecture and design.
The center further aims to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural identity and strengthen its international presence, targeting calligraphers, emerging talents, visual artists, Islamic arts researchers, educational and cultural institutions, as well as art and heritage enthusiasts worldwide.
It will deliver specialized programs including research and archival services, calligraphy instruction, academic grants, a permanent museum, touring exhibitions, an international calligraphy association and a business incubator supporting calligraphy enterprises.
Additional offerings feature artist residency programs, expert-led workshops, and standardized curriculum development, complemented by international educational partnerships aimed at heritage conservation and expanding global appreciation for this time-honored art form.
The center’s establishment in Madinah carries particular significance, given the city’s historical role as the cradle of Arabic calligraphy and its association with transcribing the Qur’an and preserving Islamic knowledge.
