Saudi Arabia has its first ever music strategy, thanks to The Saudi Music Commission. The plan by one of the Ministry of Culture’s 11 sector-specific commissions is built on five pillars: Education, Production, Performance, Delivery & Distribution, Advocacy and Licensing & Intellectual Property Rights. And the strategy is set to support the growth of a thriving music sector in the Kingdom with over 60 initiatives.
Via strategic investment in local talent and infrastructure, the commission aims for the sector to equal and exceed the economic contribution of 1 percent of GDP (excluding oil revenues), which is common in developed markets. Plus, Riyadh will be home to the world’s largest flagship recording studio. The studio will be part of the newly established infrastructure, which will include over 130 recording studios and rehearsal facilities across the Kingdom. What’s more, these accommodations will help create in excess of 65,000 jobs across the sector by 2030.
Additionally, since domestic, regional and international partnerships are a major strategy highlight, a new partnership with the Ministry of Education will see music education rolled out at every kindergarten and K-12 school in the Kingdom. A raft of new music institutes, including music hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Khobar, will serve the unprecedented demand for music education across the Kingdom as well. This demand is exemplified by the recent uptick in Saudis seeking to learn instruments, with almost 20 percent of 15–24-year-olds now owning musical instruments.
“The launch of the Music Strategy represents the beginning of an exciting new era for the Saudi music sector, and we are delighted to be able to share this with the world,” Mohammed Al Mulhem, the Music Commission’s CEO, said. “The Music Commission has identified the roadmap and initiatives required to build a powerhouse music industry across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And we are implementing the plan through an exciting programme of initiatives already underway, creating the pathways for talent to be identified and nurtured, strongly supported by a robust music ecosystem which will enable the sector to thrive.”
Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission launched KSA's first ever music strategy, 60 initiatives that will create 65,000 jobs by 2030. The strategy is built on education, production, performance, delivery & distribution, advocacy, and licensing & intellectual property rights. pic.twitter.com/7wrY5pMZL0
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Under the strategy, the commission that was launched in 2020 to oversee the development of the Kingdom’s music sector seeks to support the development of an innovative and inclusive sector. This is being done through initiatives such as the world’s first e-learning virtual academy, which will use augmented and virtual reality technology to expand the horizons of students across 50 music-related modules. In addition to this, The Saudi Music Commission is working with the private sector to license and open 50 music education centres.
