Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre to Receive 800,000 Visits Yearly

Visitors and tourists have much to look forward to once the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre is completed.

A project of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), the center will feature technology while representing artistry and the kingdom’s culture. It marks Qiddiya City’s very first cultural asset.

Speaking to the Saudi Gazette, QIC Director of Public Relations and Media Liaison Majed Aldusaimani explained what people can expect.

An architectural marvel featuring cutting-edge technology

For one, the center is an architectural marvel. Architects designed it to appear like an alien aircraft sitting on the edge of the Tuwaiq Mountains. From afar, it looks like five blades jutting out from the mountain but blending with the surrounding landscape.

“The centre will explore and showcase the future forms of performing arts, blending new technology and cutting-edge design with artistic expression to provide visitors with a uniquely immersive experience,” Aldusaimani said.

The Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre will combine the technologies of VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), and AI (artificial intelligence). The center will use these to create immersive environments for visitors.

Aldusaimani added, “Imagine experiencing a 360-degree performance where physical and digital elements merge seamlessly—it will push the boundaries of traditional theatre and offer a truly engaging and dynamic experience.”

Job creation and educational impact

Once the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre is operational, the QIC expects it to create thousands of jobs. These will include performers to more technical and administrative roles.

“This influx of new jobs will stimulate local economic growth and foster a vibrant cultural sector, supporting our wider Vision 2030 goals,” Aldusaimani noted.

Apart from the generation of jobs, the Qiddiya Performing Arts Center will also hold workshops and mentorship programs. In addition, they will also establish partnerships with different artists and cultural institutions. With these in mind, the QIC hopes to educate the youth and inspire them to pursue the arts.

Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre: Sustainability at its core

Moreover, the QIC built the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre with sustainability in mind. For instance, apart from its aesthetic appeal, the structure’s design also has a useful purpose.

“The centre has been designed to blend with its natural surroundings, featuring a serene rooftop sky garden, green spaces, and a waterfall that helps create a microclimate to cool the surrounding area,” Aldusaimani pointed out.

Once the QIC completes the construction of the center, they envision it to become a leading venue for national and international events. They also foresee it becoming a prominent venue in the performing arts scene, welcoming up to 800,000 visitors yearly. It will host over 260 indoor and outdoor performances each year, with a total of 3,000 seats across three theaters.

To gauge the success of the center, the QIC will measure the attendance numbers and rate the quality of performances. In addition, it will also look at the number of jobs it creates and how many educational initiatives it launches.

Aldusaimani added, “We aim to make the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre a model for cultural excellence and a key player in the Kingdom’s ongoing cultural transformation.”

Photo: X/Arab News