Saudi Arabia has announced the establishment of two new art academies as a part of the Ministry of Culture’s Quality of Life program. Opening for applicants in autumn next year, one academy has been devoted to heritage and traditional arts, while the other has music as its focus, and is expected to open its doors in 2021.

Speaking to Arab News, Saudi musician, composer and producer, Mamdouh Saif, said that the music academy in specific will be “the core of music production and talent development in Saudi Arabia.” Efforts are in full swing to enhance the cultural sector of the country, with  a series of music concerts and festivals, with headlining acts by Jason Derulo, 50 Cent, Future and Tyga, already having made their way to the Kingdom.