Ithraa's Summer Youth Program: Register now for the fifth edition
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), a leading initiative of Saudi Aramco, has announced the opening of registration for its Summer Youth Program . This unique program aims to empower and train young talent in diverse fields within the cultural and creative industries. Applications will be accepted from today, April 16, until June 30, offering participants an exceptional opportunity to explore the inner workings of the creative process and broaden their knowledge and practical skills.
Cultural Enrichment Beacon: A Journey Filled with Empowerment and Creativity
Since its establishment in Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has consistently offered high-quality initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a vibrant society and a thriving knowledge-based economy. The Summer Youth Program one of the center's key pillars for investing in human capital. Since its inception in 2022, the program has witnessed widespread success, receiving over 3,500 applications and providing 140 young men and women with the opportunity to embark on a unique educational and cultural journey. This journey included more than 18,000 hours of intensive learning and training, highlighting Ithra's ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
Details and areas of the 2026 Summer Youth Program
The program will run for four full weeks, from July 13 to August 6, 2026, at the center's headquarters in Dhahran. It targets young people aged 13 to 16, a critical and ideal age group for nurturing passion and building skills.
The program aims to equip participants with a comprehensive set of life and practical skills through interactive workshops and field visits. These activities cover a wide range of cultural and creative fields, including:
- Museums and heritage preservation.
- Literature, libraries, and the publishing industry.
- Theatre and performing arts.
- Cinema and modern filmmaking.
- Architecture and creative design.
- Specialized cultural experiences in fashion, music, and culinary arts.
The program's sustainable impact at the local and regional levels
The importance of the summer youth program beyond simply providing theoretical knowledge; it has a profound and positive impact at both the local and regional levels. By empowering the younger generation to understand the inner workings of the creative industries, the program contributes to enriching the Saudi cultural landscape with young talent capable of leading future cultural transformation. Furthermore, the program enhances critical thinking, teamwork, effective communication, and problem-solving skills among young people.
The program concludes with the “Youth Craft” exhibition, a unique interactive platform that allows participants to showcase their achievements and creative projects to the public and experts, boosting their self-confidence and highlighting the cognitive and skill development they have acquired throughout the program.
