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Building Curatorial Practice in AlUla: A UK–Saudi Collaboration in Museum Studies

The course took place over ten days in AlUla and was delivered by SOAS academics together with RCU staff

Photo by SOAS
Photo by SOAS

The  AlUla Grants, delivered by the British Council in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), support cultural collaboration between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Through the programme, artists, researchers and cultural practitioners develop projects that contribute to professional exchange and knowledge sharing across the two cultural sectors.

One of the grants supported a training initiative led by academics from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. The programme, Curatorial Studio: From Theory to Practice in Museum Studies, was delivered in AlUla in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla.

The bespoke programme equipped participants with a range of critical, theoretical and practical approaches to curating in museums and galleries. It introduced participants to the intellectual, practical and ethical questions involved in the interpretation and display of objects, while providing hands-on experience of exhibition development.

Curatorial Training in AlUla

The course took place over ten days in AlUla and was delivered by SOAS academics together with RCU staff. Participants included RCU professionals working in collections management, archaeology, conservation and visitor engagement programmes, alongside members of the local community.

Teaching combined lectures, seminar discussions, curatorial workshops and field visits. Throughout the programme, participants worked towards curating a group exhibition using objects from the Royal Commission for AlUla’s collection.

The immersive structure of the training allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge directly to curatorial practice. Academics and RCU staff monitored the learning process and supported participants throughout the development of the exhibition.

Two of the field visits were led by participants who are also Rawis, local heritage narrators who share oral histories and knowledge about the region. Their involvement introduced community perspectives into the programme and connected curatorial discussions with local knowledge systems and lived heritage in AlUla.


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Photo by SOAS

Developing Curatorial Practice

Feedback from participants highlighted the practical aspects of the programme as particularly valuable. When asked to identify the most educational elements for their professional development, 80 per cent of participants highlighted object research and selection, as well as learning to construct the narrative and spatial design of an exhibition.

Sixty per cent of participants reported that the course strongly developed their curatorial voice, indicating increased confidence in shaping exhibition narratives and interpretive approaches.

One participant reflected:

“The course and the experience of having and organizing an exhibition in a museum, made me thrilled to even dive deeper in the field.”

Another participant described how the programme expanded their understanding of museum practice:

“This experience has deepened my understanding of how curatorial and museum practices must balance storytelling, authenticity, and audience engagement. It taught me to approach collections not only as historical objects but also as gateways to lived heritage, community memory, and visitor connection.”

A Public Exhibition in AlUla

The programme culminated in a four-week exhibition in AlUla from 9 November to 9 December 2025. The exhibition consisted of four showcases and a number of educational activities.

The displays highlighted different aspects of AlUla’s archaeological and cultural heritage from ancient times to the present day. The objects presented formed part of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s collection.

The exhibition attracted more than 3,000 visitors, including visits by the RCU CEO and the Vice-Chancellor.

Visitor evaluations of the exhibition were highly positive. All visitors reported that they would recommend the exhibition to others, demonstrating strong word-of-mouth interest. Feedback also indicated that visitors would like to see more exhibitions and similar experiences in the future, and that many are interested in learning more about AlUla’s archaeological sites and heritage.

Visitors also highlighted the professionalism of the organisers and tour guides, noting their contribution to a positive visitor experience.

Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

The project involved sustained engagement with the UK arts and higher education sector through the direct participation of SOAS academics specialising in museum studies, curating and heritage management.

UK-based specialists contributed to curriculum design and delivered teaching both online and in person. They also participated in exhibition critique sessions and worked with colleagues from the Royal Commission for AlUla through collaborative teaching and assessment.

This approach supported professional exchange between Saudi heritage practitioners and UK academics in areas including exhibition development, collections care, audience engagement and curatorial practice.

Through this model, the programme strengthened institutional links between the UK and Saudi cultural sectors and supported mutual knowledge exchange.

Continuing Impact

Participants reported that the programme influenced how they approach aspects of their professional work following the training.

The programme also gained wider recognition. One participant was later selected by the British Council to speak with HRH Prince William during his visit to AlUla on 11 February 2025.

As part of the wider  AlUla Grants programme, the project demonstrates how collaborative training initiatives can contribute to professional development, institutional partnerships and new approaches to interpreting cultural heritage.


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