New report focuses on cultural sector sustainability in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture on Tuesday released its fifth annual report on the cultural situation in Saudi Arabia, titled “Sustainability in the Cultural Sector.”

This annual report for 2023 monitored the Saudi cultural movement for the past year, highlighting key developments, achievements and challenges.

It comprises six chapters: management and preservation; creativity and cultural production; knowledge and skills; cultural participation; creative economy; and sustainability in the cultural sector.

Sustainability in the cultural sector refers to efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage, enhance economic viability and expand cultural participation throughout society, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Since its first appeared in 2019, the report has monitored the cultural sector’s contribution to sustainable development goals in the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

The management and preservation chapter focuses on efforts to document and protect cultural and natural heritage.

The creativity and cultural production chapter evaluates levels of cultural production, including publishing, audiovisual arts, design, theater and performing arts, and tracks awards won locally and internationally.

The knowledge and skills chapter discusses developments in education and training in cultural fields, emphasizing the importance of cultural education.

The cultural participation chapter provides a multidimensional view of participation levels, highlighting individual behaviors and social engagement in non-profit cultural activities.

The creative economy chapter analyzes economic indicators in the sector, including labor statistics, business, tourism, spending and demand.

The sustainability chapter explores the relationship between the cultural sector and the environment, discussing sustainable practices in areas such as design, culinary arts and fashion.