Royal institute showcases student traditional art in Riyadh

The royal institute promotes traditional arts and national identity locally and internationally. (X @wrth_ksa)
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Updated 23 December 2025
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Royal institute showcases student traditional art in Riyadh

  • 550 works of 170 students on show until Dec. 31
  • Wrth exhibition marks end of Year of Handicrafts

RIYADH: The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts launched an exhibition in Riyadh’s Jax district on Tuesday, highlighting the creative achievements of its students and marking the end of the Year of Handicrafts.

The Wrth exhibition presents a contemporary artistic experience rooted in traditional Saudi arts, bringing together educational and creative outputs developed over the course of the year.




The royal institute promotes traditional arts and national identity locally and internationally. (SPA)

It runs until Dec. 31 and features more than 550 artworks inspired by a wide range of traditional art forms, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The works were produced by more than 170 students who collectively completed over 30,000 hours of study and practice across Wrth’s academic programs, including short courses, apprenticeship programs, and higher and intermediate diplomas.

FASTFACTS

• The Wrth exhibition brings together educational and creative outputs developed over the course of the year.

• It runs until Dec. 31 and features more than 550 artworks inspired by a wide range of traditional art forms.

• The works were produced by more than 170 students who collectively completed over 30,000 hours of study and practice across Wrth’s academic programs.

A distinctive feature of this year’s exhibition was the participation of master’s students specializing in museums and exhibitions curation.

The students began their studies in October 2025 and by December had the opportunity to take part directly in the curatorial and staging process.

The exhibition also served as a public platform for understanding students’ creative journeys, showcasing the stages of their artistic development and presenting traditional crafts within a contemporary framework.

It reflects the institute’s broader educational model, which integrates craftsmanship, design, and technology, the SPA reported.

The royal institute promotes traditional arts and national identity locally and internationally. It supports emerging talent and recognizes distinguished practitioners.

 


Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

Updated 23 December 2025
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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.