Saudi Arabia's Creative Industries: Innovation and Tradition
The country's creative landscape embraces innovation while honoring its cultural heritage.
In a realm where change is constant, Saudi creatives are addressing an essential question: how to innovate continually while preserving the authenticity of their culture?
Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder of Nuun Jewels and CEO of Art of Heritage, articulated this challenge during her address at the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh.
She emphasized that creativity encompasses both tradition and future aspirations for Saudi women.The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) exemplifies an initiative striving to modernize heritage within its programs.
By integrating traditional knowledge with opportunities for innovation, Wrth fosters a dynamic understanding of the arts.
Suzan Alyahya, CEO of Wrth, underscores that their students bridge the past and future, reinvigorating traditional arts for new generations.
Since 2021, Wrth has provided educational paths from apprenticeships in crafts like pottery to master's degrees in product development and digital heritage.The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into these creative fields is viewed not as a threat but as an extension of cultural expression.
Amal Abduljabbar, the general manager of education, research, and innovation at the Heritage Commission, believes that technology enhances rather than diminishes authenticity.
AI, virtual reality (VR), and other digital tools are employed for heritage preservation, protection, promotion, and storytelling, amplifying emotional connections to culture without replacing them.The beauty industry also illustrates this blend of tradition and innovation.
Asteri Beauty addresses regional needs by formulating products tailored to the climate and skin tones of Arab women, a niche yet culturally significant market.
Sara Alrashed, the brand's founder, emphasizes the importance of catering to local preferences while infusing cultural elements into their offerings.Saudi Arabia's creative sector showcases how tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive but complementary forces in shaping its rich cultural identity.
Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder of Nuun Jewels and CEO of Art of Heritage, articulated this challenge during her address at the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh.
She emphasized that creativity encompasses both tradition and future aspirations for Saudi women.The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) exemplifies an initiative striving to modernize heritage within its programs.
By integrating traditional knowledge with opportunities for innovation, Wrth fosters a dynamic understanding of the arts.
Suzan Alyahya, CEO of Wrth, underscores that their students bridge the past and future, reinvigorating traditional arts for new generations.
Since 2021, Wrth has provided educational paths from apprenticeships in crafts like pottery to master's degrees in product development and digital heritage.The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into these creative fields is viewed not as a threat but as an extension of cultural expression.
Amal Abduljabbar, the general manager of education, research, and innovation at the Heritage Commission, believes that technology enhances rather than diminishes authenticity.
AI, virtual reality (VR), and other digital tools are employed for heritage preservation, protection, promotion, and storytelling, amplifying emotional connections to culture without replacing them.The beauty industry also illustrates this blend of tradition and innovation.
Asteri Beauty addresses regional needs by formulating products tailored to the climate and skin tones of Arab women, a niche yet culturally significant market.
Sara Alrashed, the brand's founder, emphasizes the importance of catering to local preferences while infusing cultural elements into their offerings.Saudi Arabia's creative sector showcases how tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive but complementary forces in shaping its rich cultural identity.
