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RIYADH: The third Diriyah Horizon youth summer program began on Sunday, organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in partnership with several entities to build youth skills and promote cultural and national values.

Collaborators include the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication, Saudi Space Agency, iLMI Science Discovery and Innovation Center, and Mahd Sports Academy.

The program offers hands-on learning experiences to enrich participants and boost educational outcomes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It reflects the authority’s commitment to education and social responsibility by providing a dynamic environment filled with diverse, skill-building activities.

Running until Aug. 21, the program features six specialized tracks inspired by Diriyah’s heritage and values, including 14 workshops.

The leadership track covers debate, volunteerism and public speaking. The heritage track explores archeological excavation and traditional mudbrick construction. The creative production track focuses on photography and filmmaking. The science track includes water systems, soil science, sustainable energy and aircraft design.

The space track offers interactive sessions on astronomy, space technology and Diriyah’s agricultural seasons, while the sports track features fencing and archery.

Held Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the program aims to shape a conscious, capable generation rooted in Saudi identity. It fosters pride, cultural awareness, creativity, innovation and real-world problem-solving.

������Ƶ’s Social Development Bank has launched the Art Bank 7 event as part of the second phase of the Art Bank initiative, which invites a wide range of Saudi visual artists and independent creators to showcase their work and compete for acquisition contracts.

This program not only enriches the nation’s cultural landscape but also strengthens the creative economy by integrating original artworks into seven major bank branches across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Jointly managed by the bank and the ������Ƶn Society for Culture and Arts, the initiative highlights the Kingdom’s dedication to nurturing creative industries and aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s Year of Handicrafts campaign, which celebrates traditional craftsmanship and empowers artisans.

Sultan Al-Hamidi, the bank’s CEO, reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to developing the cultural and creative sectors across three core categories: fine art, handicrafts, and textiles.

He emphasized the importance of institutional collaborations for lasting impact and highlighted the bank’s focus on nurturing domestic talent through professional exhibition and acquisition platforms, ensuring the economic viability of artists and craftspeople while enhancing their cultural influence both locally and internationally.

Khaled Al-Baz, the society’s CEO, said that the program advances the organization’s mission to strengthen the national creative sector and position Saudi artistic expression as a vital part of the cultural identity, thereby supporting creative economic growth and sustainable development goals.

The first phase of the initiative was launched in 2024, bringing together painters, craftsmen, craftswomen, textile artists, and designers to celebrate Saudi identity by decorating the bank’s Riyadh headquarters with striking artwork that reflects local heritage and culture.