Ghadah Al-Harthi, a Saudi academic, has recently been appointed as the ambassador of young patrons by the renowned Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, solidifying her position in the international cultural arena. Al-Harthi, who currently resides in the UK, holds the esteemed role of an associate professor at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. Furthermore, she serves as a senior consultant at Barker Langham, a cultural consultancy based in London, and contributes as an advisory board member at the SOAS Middle East Institute. Her involvement extends to being a young adviser and committee member at Chatham House, a prominent international think tank.
Al-Harthi's academic journey is marked by notable achievements, including a Ph.D. in International Management from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, an MSc in International Management for the Middle East and North Africa from SOAS, and a BA in Management and Informatics from The University of Sheffield.
Expressing her gratitude upon her appointment, Al-Harthi stated, "I am honored to represent this prestigious museum, which holds considerable sway in the global cultural landscape." She emphasized her commitment to fostering education and innovation, aiming to engage youth actively in cultural discourse.
Drawing from her extensive academic and consulting background in innovation and culture within British academic institutions and companies, Al-Harthi aims to collaborate with the museum's senior management to devise effective global cultural communication strategies. Her focus lies on diversifying cultural and artistic initiatives across the Middle East and Europe.
The Young Patrons Group, a pivotal support network for the museum, comprises influential patrons and donors dedicated to advancing arts and culture on an international scale.
Established in 1852, the Victoria and Albert Museum stands as the world's largest repository of applied and decorative arts. Endowed as a public institution, it receives sponsorship from the UK government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. With a collection boasting 4.5 million diverse artifacts, including a significant array of Islamic pieces from the Middle East, the museum attracts approximately 2 million visitors annually.
