About

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) is a center of excellence with a vital purpose. As the leading institution for Saudi traditional arts, Wrth’s mission is to safeguard time-honored techniques, encourage innovation, and cultivate national and international awareness of the Kingdom’s creative expertise.

Wrth is a non-profit institution that opened its doors in 2021. It offers educational and applied learning programs that inspire and empower students and artisans, advancing the Saudi crafts and arts sectors for sustainable growth.

Through research, education, outreach, and preservation, Wrth encourages new generations to gain and refine essential skills, serving a pivotal role in shaping culture in the Kingdom.

Wrth means “heritage.” It is the power of legacy; the passing of skills and knowledge from generation to generation.

‘Wrth means “heritage.” It is the power of legacy; the passing of skills and knowledge from generation to generation.’

The institute offers four program streams:
Higher Education, Specialized Courses, Short Courses, and Apprenticeships

Read our standards of Academic Excellence

Wrth program objectives are threefold:

Encourage and train students in the traditional arts by providing a variety of courses to match their aspirations. 
Amplify and incentivize living art and craft pioneers in
recognition of their contributions to traditional methods. 
Contribute to the preservation of tangible and intangible traditional arts in the Kingdom.

The Institute warmly welcomes practitioners, students, and a global audience to deeply engage with the Kingdom’s rich tapestry of traditional arts; living testaments to Saudi’s enduring cultural heritage and artistic identity.

+ 5750

Students Enrolled
+ 480

Trainers & Artisans
+ 270

Educational programs

What are Saudi Traditional Arts?

The Kingdom’s traditional arts are a link to its past and a living, breathing part of its culture. Traditional Saudi arts date back to prehistory, vary across regions, and were once integral to daily life. Today, Saudi creativity has evolved to embrace new forms and contexts of expression, including within a national and global art marketplace.

Discover Wrth Subjects including : weaving (Al Sadu), metalwork, building, pottery, woodwork, stonework, calligraphy, bookbinding, embroidery, textiles, weaving, and performing arts.