Delegates Gather at The Creative Futures Forum in Riyadh To Highlight the Future of the Creative Industries Across The Gulf #CreativeFutures

The General Culture Authority’s CEO, Eng. Ahmad Almaziad, and the British Council’s Chief Executive, Sir Ciaran Devane, have just opened this morning the Creative Futures Forum, which is taking place at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh. The forum – which is being hosted by the General Culture – is the first-of-its-kind event in The Kingdom and is set to feature a stellar line-up of key note speakers from over 10 countries, including key decision makers from a variety of creative industries across the Gulf and UK. They are gathering to discuss the social and economic impact of the creative economy in the Gulf. The Creative Futures Forum is expected to attract more than 250 experts, students and arts professionals over the course of two days.

The General Culture Authority’s CEO, Eng. Ahmad Almaziad, and the British Council’s Chief Executive, Sir Ciaran Devane, opened the programme of events together this morning.

An enlightening conversation on creative routes into business with fine jewellery designer HRH Nourah Al-Faisal and academic kicked off the sessions, which were followed by panel discussions on digital skills for the cultural sector (featuring Rohan Gunatillake from Mindfulness Everywhere (UK) and Samaher Al-Huthali from Turjuman (KSA)), routes to employment in the creative sector (which will see debate between representatives of the UAE’s Tashkeel contemporary art and design facility, Marcus O’Dair, University of the Arts London, Amber Onat Gregory, Frozen Light (UK), Maha Al Senan from the General Culture Authority) and sessions on why a creative curriculum and education matters, saving heritage and how to support careers in the arts and culture to flourish.

The overarching aim of The Creative Futures Forum is to discuss the significant social and economic potential of the creative economies in the Gulf region as well as address how governments, institutions, communities and professionals can work together to equip the next generation with the skills they need to succeed in an exciting array of creative opportunities in the future. The forum will also provide a platform for decision makers and key representatives from leading cultural organisations to discuss and debate how international partnerships, creativity in education, new routes to employment and greater investment in digital skills for the creative sector can help to drive further economic diversification, growth and innovation.

Welcoming delegates to the forum this morning, Eng. Ahmad Almaziad, CEO of the General Cultural Authority, added: “Creative Futures will serve as a forum for key decision makers and industry players to exchange ideas, discuss key issues and present their vision for the future of creative industries, which contribute significantly to stimulating wider economic growth. We are delighted to collaborate with the British Council and look forward to witnessing

how this forum will lead to some clear recommendations that can help shape and develop the visions and plans for the cultural sector in Saudi Arabia and in other Gulf countries.”

The British Council’s Country Director in Saudi Arabia, Amir Ramzan, said: “The Creative Futures Forum is a meeting place for artists, creative entrepreneurs and policy-makers to share their insights and expertise from different disciplines and support the development of strategies, policies and programmes that will help to grow a modern creative workforce in the Gulf states. Nurturing, supporting and developing creative talent is a key priority for us and we are delighted to partner with the General Cultural Authority on this pioneering event.”

The Creative Futures Forum is one of a series of initiatives the British Council offers as part of its cultural relations work, which includes arts, education, science and sports projects that work with young people to create an environment in which they can learn essential skills and behaviours to achieve their full potential.

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