Riyadh University Of Arts And USC School Of Cinematic Arts Forge Partnership For Film Education

The Riyadh University of Arts (RUA), under the Ministry of Culture, has formed a partnership with the University of Southern California's (USC) School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). This collaboration aims to nurture cultural and artistic skills while promoting cultural exchange. The agreement was signed during the Red Sea International Film Festival by Noha Kattan from RUA and Alan Baker from USC.

Located in Los Angeles, the USC School of Cinematic Arts is renowned for its film education. It has a rich history of nearly 100 years and boasts strong connections with Hollywood. The school provides an interdisciplinary learning environment, incorporating cutting-edge technology and storytelling techniques across various cinematic disciplines such as film, television, and interactive media.

This agreement is part of a larger initiative involving multiple partnerships between RUA and international institutions. These collaborations aim to co-develop academic programs, engage in research, and provide enriching cultural education opportunities. The goal is to enhance the Kingdom's cultural sector through innovative educational offerings.

Under this agreement, USC will assist RUA in developing curricula for Bachelor's and Diploma programs at RUA's College of Film. Senior faculty from SCA will share their expertise with students and create training programs for new instructors in the MENA region and beyond. This initiative aims to elevate the quality of film education at RUA.

Riyadh University of Arts was introduced in September 2025 by Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan during the Cultural Investment Conference. It serves as a foundation for creative education and cultural innovation in Saudi Arabia. The university will offer a wide range of academic programs to support continuous learning in arts and culture.

The academic portfolio at RUA includes short courses, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, higher diplomas, master's degrees, and PhDs. These offerings are designed to cater to various educational levels through gradual implementation across all subsectors. Full details about RUA's colleges and partnerships will be available on its official website when it launches in early 2026.

With inputs from SPA