Riyadh, March 1st, 2024 – The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced the launch of the fourth annual National Cultural Awards. The initiative recognizes talented creators in various award categories and highlights their cultural contribution both locally and globally. The awards also aim to encourage community participation and stimulate cultural production through tangible and intangible empowerment.

The Awards highlight and honor significant cultural accomplishments by individuals and institutions across 16 categories. Five of these awards will be decided by specially convened committees, including the Cultural Pioneer Award, the Youth Cultural Award, the International Cultural Excellence Award, the Business Owners Award, and the Cultural Institutions Award, all of which support and recognize exceptional talents in each of these fields. The other eleven awards are open to public nominations and dedicated to individual cultural fields. The winners will be announced at the National Cultural Awards ceremony in September.

Returning this year following its introduction in the 2023 edition of the National Cultural Awards, the International Cultural Excellence Award rewards non-profit institutions implementing cultural cohesion initiatives across cultural sectors. The award seeks to recognize and encourage individuals and institutions making notable efforts to open new horizons and strengthen global ties between various cultures.

This internationally focused award shines a light on the significant influence the arts and culture have in developing and enriching contemporary international exchanges. Nominees’ contributions are evaluated on the basis of the consistency of their activities and the impact of their on-the-groundwork.