Overview
- Officials confirmed the Riyadh University of Arts will open in 2026 with initial programmes in music, film, theatre and the performing arts.
- The Kingdom introduced a SAR300 million Fashion Fund managed by Merak Capital with the Cultural Development Fund as anchor investor to back brands, supply chains and new business models.
- The Saudi Film Fund rebranded as Riviera Content, unveiled SR32.5 million in new film investments, and saw a separate SR375 million film fund established with BSF Capital backed by the CDF.
- Some early reports naming Universal and Columbia Pictures as investors were corrected after both studios denied providing financing for the Saudi film initiatives.
- Cultural Assets Group launched a private SAR850 million cultural fund with SAR200 million in CDF financing, alongside a Deutsche Bank memorandum covering training and cultural exchanges and a new CDF co‑lending instrument of about SAR1 billion.