Ministry of Culture announce new craft programme in Albalad, Jeddah

January 17th, 2020

The Centre for the Building Arts in Albalad, a partnership between the Prince’s Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, will launch new vocational training programmes in February to train the next generation of heritage regeneration professionals. The centre will open its doors to candidates interested in registering on January 19th and 23rd.
 
Structured as a series of modules centred around a Crafts Workshop and Design Studio experience starting in February, the vocational training programme provides a strong foundation in traditional Islamic art and crafts, architecture and design. The course will teach design knowledge and crafts skills to enable students to eventually undertake regeneration on commercial projects. 
 
After attending combined craft and design modules, students will specialise in design skills or on mastering crafts techniques, supported by focused project work. The course will culminate in a major project set within Jeddah’s historic houses. At the end of the programme, students will graduate with a diploma from The Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. 
 
The programme will furnish participants with a high-level educational experience, alongside direct involvement in the vibrant regeneration of Albalad. The heritage of the UNESCO site will be used as an educational and training resource through analysis and research, as well as hands-on practical training on the buildings themselves. Through this, the programme offers its students and graduates career paths through the Ministry of Culture’s regeneration projects in the city.  
 
Open to craftsmen, architects, researchers, artists, designers, architecture and art students, our vocational and design training offers opportunities to those who wish to become proficient designers to engage with the building arts and crafts. It also develops graduates to pass on the traditional knowledge and skills they have learnt and developed. Two open days will be held on 19 & 23 January for those interested in learning more. 
 
 
The Centre for the Building Arts will be a regional architectural crafts and design centre for a vibrant community of designers and craftsmen. The programme uses the environment of Albalad as a learning resource and contributes towards the regeneration of the architecture and the crafts that belong to the wide cultural heritage of Jeddah and Saudi Arabia. The Centre integrates traditional arts and crafts in a contemporary context, through development of high standards of artistic and technical ability based on traditional craft techniques.