Saudi royal institute launches academic programs in traditional arts
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The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) has opened registration for six new academic programs aimed at revitalizing Saudi traditional arts and enhancing their global presence, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Offered in partnership with top international universities and academies, the programs support the Year of Handicrafts 2025 and the Kingdom’s broader cultural development agenda. Among the offerings are master’s degrees in traditional furniture design, performance costume design, digital heritage and museum curation. Additionally, Wrth is introducing a higher diploma in traditional product development and an intermediate diploma in choreography.
The programs, lasting one to two academic years, will be delivered in person at Wrth’s Riyadh campus and are free of tuition fees.
Blending theory with hands-on practice, the curriculum is designed to produce specialists capable of turning traditional arts into viable cultural and economic sectors. Interested applicants can register and find more details on Wrth’s official website: wrth.edu.sa.
As part of its international outreach, Wrth is currently participating in Saudi Cultural Week at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, running until July 15. The event highlights the Kingdom’s artistic heritage through interactive exhibits and celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
A cultural highlight of the event is a live collaborative performance by Saudi artisan Salman Al-Hamad and Japanese artisan Yuho Ohkota, who are combining Al-Ahsa Bisht embroidery with a traditional Japanese kimono. The Wrth pavilion also features a hands-on workshop where visitors can design Japanese fans using Saudi-inspired patterns, led by Wrth graduate Fidaa Al-Amri.