Ministry of Culture (Saudi Arabia)
Government ministry of Saudi Arabia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ministry of Culture (Arabic: وزارة الثقافة) is a government ministry in Saudi Arabia that oversees the Kingdom’s cultural sector and is responsible for developing policies related to culture in Saudi Arabia, heritage, arts, and creative industries.[1]
| وزارة الثقافة | |
| |
 Bader bin Abdullah, the current Minister of Culture since 2 June 2018. | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2 June 2018 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Saudi Arabia |
| Headquarters | |
Minister responsible | |
Child agency | |
| Website | Official English Website |
History
The Ministry of Culture was established on 2 June 2018, when the Ministry of Culture and Information was split into two independent entities: the Ministry of Media and the Ministry of Culture.[2]
From its founding, the ministry focused on preserving and promoting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, supporting local creative talent, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global cultural destination in line with Saudi Vision 2030. In 2019, it launched the National Cultural Strategy, which identified 16 key cultural sub-sectors such as heritage, film, fashion, music, literature, and culinary arts to guide its work and support economic growth and quality of life.[3]
Since its creation, the ministry has expanded Saudi Arabia’s cultural infrastructure and programs. In 2019, it took over the organization of the Riyadh International Book Fair. In 2021, it established the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts to nurture traditional skills. Also in 2021, the ministry launched the "Cultural Years" initiative, assigning a theme related to Saudi culture to each year to highlight different aspects of the Kingdom’s heritage and arts. In 2025, it introduced initiatives like the development of Saudi Fonts.[4][5][6][7][8]
List of ministers
| No. | Portrait | Minister | Took office | Left office | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Bader bin Abdullah | 2 June 2018 | Incumbent | 8 years, 123 days |
Subordinate agencies
The following list contains the commissions operating under the Ministry of Culture:[9]
| Logo | Name | Website |
|---|---|---|
 |
Film Commission | Official Website |
 |
Music Commission (see also Music of Saudi Arabia) | Official Website |
 |
Fashion Commission | Official Website |
 |
Heritage Commission (see also List of World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia) | Official Website |
 |
Libraries Commission (see also Libraries in Saudi Arabia) | Official Website |
 |
Museums Commission (see also List of museums in Saudi Arabia) | Official Website |
 |
Visual Arts Commission | Official Website |
 |
Culinary Arts Commission (see also Saudi Arabian cuisine) | Official Website |
 |
Architecture & Design Commission (see also Architecture of Saudi Arabia) | Official Website |
 |
Theater & Performing Arts Commission (see also Theatre of Saudi Arabia) | Official Website |
 |
Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission (see also Saudi literature) | Official Website |
Cultural awards
Cultural Awards are awards presented to Saudi individuals, cultural groups and organizations for their cultural contributions. The awards are presented in an annual event organized by the Ministry of Culture. The Cultural Awards were launched in 2020.[10]
The following is a list of award categories:[11]
Main awards
- Cultural Pioneer Award
- Youth Cultural Award
- International Cultural Excellence Award
- Business Owners Award
- Cultural Institutions Award (For-Profit)
- Cultural Institutions Award (Non-Profit)
Sector awards
- Literature Award
- Publishing Award
- Theater and Performing Arts Award
- Culinary Arts Award
- Architecture and Design Award
- Translation Award
- Fashion Award
- Film Award
- National Heritage Award
- Music Award
- Visual Arts Award
Cultural years
Starting in 2020, the Ministry of Culture began dedicating each calendar year to a specific theme representing the Culture of Saudi Arabia. This initiative celebrates traditional heritage, national customs, and future-focused innovations.[12]
This is a list containing the designated years and their corresponding names:
| Logo | Year | Name | Website | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
2020 2021 |
Year of Arabic Calligraphy | Official Page | |
 |
2022 | Year of Saudi Coffee | Official Page | [13] |
 |
2023 | Year of Arabic Poetry | Official Page | [14] |
 |
2024 | Year of the Camel | Official Page | [15] |
 |
2025 | Year of Handicrafts | Official Page | [16] |
| 2026 | Year of Artificial Intelligence | – | [17] |