RIYADH: Qiddiya Investment Company has unveiled a new performing arts center as an addition to Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural landscape.
The center, expected to attract more than 800,000 visits each year, will enhance the attractions within the newly announced Qiddiya City. An official statement said it would redefine the cultural experience for residents and visitors alike with its architecture, pioneering technology, and commitment to artistic innovation.
The center’s unveiling follows the announcement of other entertainment, sporting and cultural attractions, including a multi-use gaming and esports district, the multi-sports Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, motorsport track, Dragon Ball theme park and Aquarabia, the first water theme park of its kind in the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Dawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Company, said: “Qiddiya City is more than just the home of entertainment and sports, it is also a leader in the preservation and promotion of Saudi culture. For this reason, we are thrilled to announce the addition of the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre to Qiddiya City. It will be a beacon of creativity and innovation that will elevate Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape to new heights. With its ground-breaking modern design, pioneering technology, and commitment to nurturing talent, the centre embodies the spirit of Qiddiya City as a place where imagination knows no bounds.”
Dr. Osama Ghanem Al-Obaidy, a professor from the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News: “The new performing arts center is a significant cultural initiative that will contribute to the promotion of Saudi culture and heritage to both residents and foreign visitors alike. It will allow the year-round enjoyment of community, cultural and entertainment areas showcasing various aspects of Saudi culture, including music, dancing, and folk arts.
“It will provide a platform for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to show their talents through diverse cultural events,” he added.
He added the center was testament to the city’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation as it would host over 260 indoor and outdoor performances and events every year.
With over 3,000 seats spread across three theatres, each will offer a 360-degree experience merging physical and digital elements. A cantilevered amphitheater offers breathtaking views of the City’s lower plateau with a fully adaptable 500-seat venue suspended from above.
The center will serve as an incubator for young Saudi talent, providing educational opportunities and resources to nurture the next generation of writers, producers and actors. It will stimulate economic growth by creating thousands of career opportunities across the creative and cultural sectors.
Beyond the performance spaces, the center will act as a vibrant community hub, inviting residents and visitors to explore dining, retail and educational entertainment options.
A rooftop sky garden, art galleries and green spaces will extend the cultural experience, while its iconic architecture will serve as a symbol of civic identity.
Qiddiya unveils new performing arts center
https://arab.news/bqpdw
Qiddiya unveils new performing arts center
- The center will host over 260 indoor and outdoor performances each year
- It will serve as an incubator for young Saudis, providing educational opportunities and resources to nurture the next generation of writers, producers, and actors
Sony’s Alpha Femme initiative debuts in UAE ahead of Saudi launch
JEDDAH: Sony has brought its Alpha Femme initiative to the UAE for the first time, with several workshops taking place this week ahead of the next edition in Saudi Arabia.
Emirati photographer and Sony’s digital imaging ambassador Amani AlShaali conducted a workshop on fine art photography at Garage Studio in Dubai on Sunday.
The workshops in the UAE are designed to support women across photography, videography, cinematography, and content creation.
Suchismita Bhattarcharjee, category manager, interchangeable lens cameras, Sony Middle East and Africa, spoke to Arab News about the initiative and its goals for the region’s female content creators.
“Bringing a program like Alpha Femme to the UAE was part of our effort at nurturing local creator communities, with a specific focus on supporting women who are shaping visual storytelling in meaningful and impactful ways,” said Bhattarcharjee.
“Access to learning platforms and communities, such as Alpha Femme, play a key role in helping creators build both technical capability and creative direction.”
Sony’s goal for participants, she said, was to “walk away with stronger professional connections, enhanced creative confidence, and practical knowledge that they can apply directly to their work.
“What is equally important is the sense of community and peer exchange that this will offer, creating a network where women can support one another, share experiences, and continue growing together within the region’s evolving creator landscape,” she added.
Alpha Femme in the UAE will organize monthly workshops to empower women across the creative industry.
The workshop topics will revolve around “practical creative skills, real-world workflows, and the evolving needs of the creative economy, ensuring the program remains relevant and responsive to the community it supports.”
These sessions are designed to bring beginner and experienced creators together for hands-on learning, industry knowledge sharing, and direct engagement with Sony ambassadors and speakers.
The launch of the initiative in UAE follows editions in Kuwait, South Africa, Egypt, and Kazakhstan.
“Sony is continuing to expand the initiative across the region, with the next edition set to take place in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing Alpha Femme’s role as a growing regional platform for women in visual storytelling,” said Bhattarcharjee.
