The Ministry of Culture signed a partnership with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London to become the academic partner for the College of Music at Riyadh University of Arts. The partnership aims to develop creative competencies in the fields of culture and arts and support efforts for international cultural exchange.

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama will collaborate with Riyadh University of Arts to design academic programs for undergraduate and postgraduate studies and scientific research, covering specializations in musical performance, music production, and music education. It will also provide training and capacity development opportunities for the university’s faculty members.

Saudi Talents

The programs to be developed will contribute to nurturing and supporting Saudi talents across a variety of key music fields. They will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of creative processes, scientific research pathways, and the professional skills necessary to work in the music and cultural sectors.

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, founded in 1880 in London, is one of the leading educational institutions specializing in the performing arts. It hosts an international community of musicians, actors, and production artists. It was ranked first in the fields of arts, drama, and music according to the Complete University Guide 2025 and was among the top three institutions globally for music and performing arts in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Riyadh University of Arts

This partnership is an extension of the collaborations that Riyadh University of Arts and its colleges are signing with leading international institutions to jointly design academic programs, cooperate in scientific research, and offer enrichment programs in education and cultural development. The university previously announced a number of partnerships, including one between its College of Film and the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC).

Another partnership was established between the College of Heritage and Civilizational Studies and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London. There is also a partnership between the College of Theatre and Performing Arts and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), in addition to a partnership between the College of Cultural Management and ESSEC Business School. Furthermore, a partnership was signed to develop academic programs in the College of Design and Architecture and the College of Visual Arts and Photography at Riyadh University of Arts.

Cultural Innovation

Riyadh University of Arts was established by royal decree and is headquartered in Riyadh. It is a specialized university in the fields of culture and arts, forming a fundamental pillar for creative education and cultural innovation. It aims to empower students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and vision necessary to shape the future of the creative economy in the Kingdom.

The university will launch its programs gradually to cover various fields and sub-specializations.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama is a world-renowned conservatoire in London, founded in 1880 by the City of London Corporation. It was established to provide high-quality arts education and has since become one of the UK’s leading performing arts institutions, training generations of musicians, actors, and theatre technicians.

Riyadh University of Arts

The Riyadh University of Arts is a prominent public university in Saudi Arabia, established in 2020 by merging several existing arts colleges. It was created to consolidate and elevate arts education in the Kingdom, reflecting a national focus on developing the cultural and creative sectors as part of Saudi Vision 2030. The university now serves as a central hub for disciplines like visual arts, music, theater, and design.

University of Southern California (USC)

Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California (USC) is a major private research university in Los Angeles and the oldest private research university in California. It is renowned for its programs in cinema, business, engineering, and its historic rivalry with UCLA, symbolized by the annual football game for the Victory Bell.

School of Cinematic Arts

The School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC) is the oldest and one of the most prestigious film schools in the United States, founded in 1929 in collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Its history is deeply intertwined with Hollywood, having educated generations of influential filmmakers and played a key role in the evolution of cinematic technology and storytelling.

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), founded in 1916 in London, is a constituent college of the University of London established to advance scholarship on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It was created in part to train British administrators for the colonial service, but has since evolved into a world-renowned center for critical academic study and a hub for diverse cultural and political thought. Today, it is celebrated for its specialized libraries, unique academic focus, and influential role in postcolonial and global studies.

University of London

The University of London is a federal public research university founded in 1836, notable for being the first in the UK to admit students regardless of gender, religion, or background. It was established to provide examinations for students from affiliated colleges, later pioneering the world’s first distance learning degrees through its external programme. Today, it is a major federation of 17 independent member institutions, including renowned colleges like UCL and King’s College London.

American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)

The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) is a private performing arts conservatory founded in New York City in 1964. It was established to provide focused, professional training for actors, dancers, singers, and other theater artists, and has since expanded to include a second campus in Los Angeles.

ESSEC Business School

Founded in 1907 in Paris, ESSEC Business School is one of France’s oldest and most prestigious *grandes écoles*. It is globally recognized for its innovative approach to business education, notably pioneering the first European MBA program in 1987. Today, with campuses in France, Singapore, and Morocco, ESSEC maintains a strong reputation for leadership in management research and a vast, influential alumni network.