The Music Sector Development Strategy is a Saudi national plan developed to grow the music sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a series of initiatives and programs organized under five pillars. It was launched by the Music Commission, one of the commissions of the Ministry of Culture, on December 20, 2021, to establish and solidify the foundations of musical arts in the Kingdom.
Through the strategy, the Music Commission works to revive traditional musical heritage, stimulate local artistic production, and enhance the Kingdom's participation in global music forums.
Objectives of the Music Sector Development Strategy
The Music Commission aims, through the Music Sector Development Strategy, to enhance the efficiency of the sector and support talented individuals and practitioners, which contributes to making the music sector a supporter of the local economy and creating job opportunities for approximately 65,000 people by 2030.
Pillars of the Music Sector Development Strategy and its Initiatives
The Music Sector Development Strategy in the Kingdom works based on five pillars: Education, production, support and awareness promotion, musical performances, and the protection of composers' works through a licensing system and intellectual property rights for music. These pillars are implemented through around sixty initiatives, including:
- In the realm of education: the Music Commission aims to enhance education as a foundation for launching several initiatives, including the establishment of three music centers for teaching and training music enthusiasts in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, and founding the world's first virtual academy for online music education using augmented reality technology, which will provide more than fifty music specializations. Other initiatives include launching the Higher Institute of Music, establishing the House of Oud specialized in everything related to the oud instrument, and founding the Arab Music Academy and the Music Research Center in ad-Dir'iyyah. In 2022, the Music Commission launched the Music Culture Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This extracurricular activity is available through the Ministry of Education's Madrasati platform and covers various musical topics, such as introducing musical figures and Saudi musical heritage.
- In the realm of production: the Music Commission's initiatives to support the production pillar include building a leading recording studio in Riyadh City, offering music programs to develop talented individuals, and encouraging the private sector to open recording studios. Additionally, these initiatives focus on documenting traditional music that reflects Saudi identity, establishing a specialized music library containing heritage and national songs, and encouraging local artists to compose and record.
- In the realm of musical performances and distribution: this pillar aims to equip platforms to showcase musical talents and facilitate access to Saudi musical productions Initiatives in this realm include forming the Saudi National Music Band, the National Choir, establishing a Children's Orchestra, and organizing music festivals and cultural performances across the Kingdom.
- In the realm of support, awareness, and promotion, the Music Commission focuses on increasing societal awareness of the artistic and social importance of music. Initiatives include awareness campaigns like "Music as a Profession" and developing children's music education, such as using the character "Dadan the Arabian Leopard" as an educational tool that combines music and storytelling. The commission also enhances dialogue between local and international music creators through events like the "XP Music" conference and has facilitated performances by the Saudi National Music Band at major events such as Formula One Jeddah and the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Furthermore, the strategy includes building the world's largest leading recording studio in the capital, Riyadh, encouraging the private sector to open recording studios across the Kingdom's provinces, documenting and preserving traditional Saudi music, and creating a comprehensive music library of heritage and national songs. Additionally, the commission supports and empowers talented local artists.
- In the realm of licensing and intellectual property, this pillar is the primary booster of trust between the Music Commission's partners and spreading a competitive spirit among talented individuals. The initiatives include enhancing the efforts of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), raising community awareness about rights related to the music industry and international copyright laws, and facilitating the acquisition of licenses through the "Abde’a" platform
Cultural Licenses Platform "Abde’a"
The Ministry of Culture, as part of its efforts to support cultural activities in the Kingdom, launched the "Abde’a" electronic platform. This platform allows talented individuals and practitioners to obtain cultural licenses, enabling them to engage in activities that support the sector's growth. In its initial version, the platform facilitates the practice of various activities, including music, and offers practitioner licenses for musical performance, music production, and music audio management.
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