JEDDAH: Talent-scouting programs and out-of-school workshops for students are among a host of initiatives aimed at boosting Saudi Arabia’s creative and cultural sector under a new landmark strategy. The Cultural Talent Development Strategy, introduced recently by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program to develop talent, expertise and innovation in the cultural sector. In coming years, 14 programs supported by the National Culture Strategy will encourage careers in the arts, with qualified graduates flourishing in the field. Along with talent-scouting programs and out-of-school workshops, competitions and amateur clubs will also play a key role in discovering and developing talent in the country. The strategy will deliver extracurricular cultural activities to more than half the country’s public schools by 2026. Federal entities joining the strategic partnerships are the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and the National eLearning Center. Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the culture minister, said that the Kingdom has always considered education as its first priority, especially in the fields of culture, arts and creativity. “In light of this, we launched the Cultural Talent Development Strategy to develop the cultural and artistic capabilities of our society through a system of policies, standards, academic programs and opportunities that enrich cultural creativity in the Kingdom. The strategy includes linking education outputs with the needs of the labor market and supporting sustainable practices in the cultural sector,” he said. Commenting on the strategy, Yousef Al-Benyan, the education minister, said that integrating culture and arts into education will enhance the teaching process and foster an inspiring learning environment. About 120 arts and culture training institutions will produce more than 20,000 graduates specializing in arts and culture, with 5 percent of graduates being matched with careers in the field. The newly launched program will ensure that half of Saudi schools provide extracurricular cultural activities for students, leading to an increase in the number of students involved in artistic pursuits.