The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has reinforced its commitment to its mission to invest in the personal growth of the Diriyah community by establishing a series of training programs that will allow community members to represent Diriyah as “DGDA hosts” at events, exhibitions and initiatives at the historical destination. The training programs are designed in line with international best practices and will allow local Saudi heritage experts to equip young people with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the arts and culture space. The trainees will have their first opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, of which DGDA is proud to be a strategic partner. DGDA’s community engagement team selected the first batch of 30 talented young locals to participate in a training program that focuses on educating and preparing DGDA hosts with the knowledge and expertise on the art pieces and international artists that will be showcased during the biennale. The participants demonstrated their eagerness to learn and be proud representatives of Diriyah. As a result, the first batch of 30 DGDA hosts were offered part-time employment for the entire biennale, which runs from Dec. 11 to March 11. Sara Al-Hussaini, a community engagement officer at DGDA, was pleased with the outcome of the program, saying: “I am delighted to see our young Saudi talent working tirelessly to welcome the world to Diriyah. Watching their enthusiasm, pride and interest for the arts is rewarding not only for the community, but for the Kingdom as a whole. “We are excited to be the strategic partners of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, the first ever contemporary art biennale in Saudi Arabia, right here in Diriyah, the Jewel of the Kingdom. Diriyah shines because of its people and I’m thrilled to see our young DGDA hosts getting involved in the nation’s cultural reawakening and having a key role in the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s flourishing art scene.” DGDA is committed to empowering Diriyah’s youth and has been working to implement training programs like these to provide unique opportunities for the local community. In addition to arts and culture training, the participants also received medical training to prepare them for any unforeseen situations at the large events held in Diriyah. The community engagement team plans to conduct more training activities in 2022 and has set up a database of programs and participants. DGDA encourages members of the local community, both young and old, to actively participate in the training programs and be part of a group of Saudi ambassadors who are proud of their history and heritage.