The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts in Riyadh has opened registration for six new academic programs aimed at preserving and promoting Saudi heritage, in line with preparations for the upcoming Year of Handicrafts 2025.
The programs include an Intermediate Diploma in Kinetic Design, a Higher Diploma in Traditional Product Development, and Master’s degrees in Traditional Furniture Design, Performance Costume Design, Museum and Exhibition Curation, and Digital Heritage.
All programs are conducted on-site in Riyadh, spanning one to two academic years, and are offered free of charge.
These initiatives are designed to equip national talent with the skills to creatively preserve traditional crafts while transforming them into valuable cultural and economic resources.
In addition, the institute has launched a series of free short workshops across several cities—such as Jeddah, Al-Baha, and Al-Ahsa—to raise community awareness and participation in traditional arts.
The institute is also participating in the Saudi Cultural Week at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, presenting live art performances and collaborative workshops that highlight cultural exchange.
These include embroidering the Saudi bisht pattern on a Japanese kimono, and crafting fans featuring Saudi heritage-inspired designs.
These programs and exhibitions reflect the institute’s mission to empower a new generation of artists who will carry forward Saudi Arabia’s artistic identity using innovative approaches that preserve authenticity while embracing global appeal.
