What Are the Key Areas of Collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Commissions?
As part of ongoing efforts to deepen cultural cooperation, the British Council has worked closely with the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia to better understand the strategic priorities of its sectoral commissions. Through meetings, public sources, and project collaborations, we have mapped out areas where meaningful UK–Saudi partnerships can emerge. The Ministry’s cultural commissions have expressed a clear interest in long-term engagement and larger-scale collaborations with UK institutions, artists, and educators. These areas are outlined below as a guide for expanding cultural exchange and creating new opportunities across both countries.
The Ministry of Culture was established in 2018 to support the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector and preserve its rich historical heritage. Since then, the Ministry has released several publications that provide a comprehensive overview of the cultural system, such as the annual Report on the State of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Importantly, the Ministry is comprised of eleven commissions, each representing and responsible for a sector within the cultural field. Each commission is an independent legal entity overseeing its own finances and administration.
For instance, the Visual Arts Commission (VAC) is likely to be the point of contact where a British artist seeks to undertake an art residency. On some occasions, the VAC may collaborate with other commissions when launching a residency, such as the recent collaboration with the Fashion Commission to launch the Intermix Residency Program. All information about the initiatives launched by the VAC can be found on its website.
Similarly, each commission publishes its initiatives on their respective websites, where information about each programme or project is provided, along with application or registration details and eligibility criteria. As part of the British Council’s mapping exercise, we also included each commission’s areas of interest in collaborating with the UK.
To support these partners, we’ve outlined a summary of the key focus areas identified by various Saudi cultural commissions.
- Develop specialized training in archaeological drawing and mural restoration
- Lead collaborative research on conservation techniques, digital documentation, and sustainable tourism at World Heritage Sites
- Encourage British artisans to join the Saudi International Handicrafts Week
- Create workshops that connect cultural heritage with economic opportunities
- Develop a global advocacy platform that showcases Saudi and British artistic talent
- Host joint festivals that explore street art and photography
- Collaborate with international auction houses to enhance Saudi art market visibility
- Empower young talents and artist residencies, blending Saudi and UK influences to enrich the local ecosystem
- Preserve film archives through UK–Saudi partnerships
- Premiere a mini-film festival that brings together British and Saudi cinema
- Develop talent development programs inspired by the UK's successful film industry
- Explore partnerships with UK archives for film preservation and documentation
- Launch talent development programs with UK music institutions through residencies and workshops
- Integrate innovative music education approaches into Saudi schools
- Expand Riyadh Music Week to feature British musicians and orchestras
- Establish quality standards for the industry
- Create a UK-affiliated fashion school in Saudi Arabia
- Elevate Fashion Futures, a digital platform offering insights and research, with contributions from UK institutions
- Participate in London Fashion Week to promote Saudi designers globally
- Unite artists through joint performances
- Develop talent through school collaborations
- Create original works with production companies
- Use technology in digital and interactive performances
- Deliver digital cataloguing training
- Organise study visits to explore UK library management models and volunteer-run libraries
- Create collaborative culinary encyclopaedias
- Provide scholarships for aspiring chefs
- Showcase Saudi cuisine at major UK food festivals
- Partner with green architecture and urban planning projects
- Blend traditional and modern architecture in conservation
- Host workshops on cutting-edge design trends
- Translate Saudi literature into English and vice versa
- Promote Saudi authors at literary festivals
- Co-develop literary works bridging cultures
- Offer training in editing, publishing, and management
- Exchange exhibits between museums
- Learn best practices in curation and preservation
- Implement digital displays and virtual tours
- Collaborate on archaeological and research projects
