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The Ministry of Culture appointed Dr. Mohammed bin Hassan Alwan, who has served as CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission since November 2024, to the role of president at the Riyadh University of the Arts. Prior to that position, Alwan led the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission between 2020 and 2024. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in international business management from Carleton University in Canada, an MBA from the University of Portland in the United States and a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from King Saud University.
In his new capacity Alwan will work to bolster the university’s contribution to specialized higher education across the arts, culture and creative industries sectors. He will oversee the introduction of academic programs and the forging of strategic partnerships with local and international entities. These efforts aim to equip Saudi nationals with the skills required to contribute effectively to the kingdom’s growing cultural landscape.
The Riyadh University of the Arts represents a flagship project of the Ministry of Culture designed to integrate theoretical learning with hands-on practical training. The institution is set to admit its inaugural cohort of students in disciplines that include theater and performing arts, music, film and cultural management. University officials have emphasized the dual focus on academic rigor and applied experience as central to its operating model.
A Saudi Press Agency report on the university’s establishment placed its long-term target at graduating 25,000 to 30,000 students by 2040 while also training between 1,000 and 1,500 instructors in relevant fields. The SPA figures underscore the scale of investment in cultural human capital as part of broader national development strategies. Such projections reflect the ambition to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for creative production and innovation.
The university has already secured collaborative agreements with prominent international academic bodies to support its curriculum development. Partnerships with institutions such as the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom will facilitate knowledge exchange and program design, according to Ministry of Culture disclosures. These alliances are expected to enhance the quality of education offered at the Riyadh-based campus.
Additional initiatives under the university’s umbrella include the creation of 13 specialized colleges that will cover a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural domains. The Ministry of Culture has described the facility as a pioneering center dedicated to nurturing talent that can both preserve national heritage and engage in global cultural dialogue. Construction and program rollout continue in alignment with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives for sector diversification.
