Integrated Design & Craft Education Programme – AlUla, Saudi Arabia
In partnership with The Royal Commission for AlUla.
Vision
The vision for The Integrated Design & Craft Education Programme is for it to become a main education and cultural centre in AlUla, an inspirational creative hub that generates a genuine sense of pride for the heritage of the region. It will become a focal point in AlUla offering a unique opportunity for participants to learn and gain inspiration from the philosophy “we are nature” and design and make products reflecting the environment of AlUla through creative & contemporary means of expression.
The centre is a long-term development of education, design and community programmes in AlUla, serving as a focal point, both physical and inspirational, which will draw together a variety of fields and skills and also act as a spring for initiatives that can extend into the community.
The Integrated Design and Craft Education programme is an integral part of the KSA’s vision for the preservation and enhancement of the natural, historic and cultural heritage of AlUla. It will bring together the wider community through a diverse range of activities, workshops and talks.
The Integrated Design and Craft Education programme comprises of 4 integrated elements:
Vocational Training Programme
One-year course for local artists, craftsmen and designers focused on the Art of the Order of Nature in AlUla.
Design Studio & Production Studio
On-going programme for select graduates of the Vocational Training Programme.
Public Programme
Workshops for adults during the year and as part of seasonal festivals including Kids’ Club; engaging children and their families.
Artist in Residence Programme
Residencies open to local, national and international artists.
Aims
The Integrated Education Programme aims to:
- Build an understanding of the language of the order of nature and its underlying philosophical principles
- Instill awareness of the value of AlUla’s natural beauty and cultural heritage and enrich the quality of life of the local community by affirming a local identity
- Nurture and support young women and men in the development of a range of crafts objects inspired by the principles of the order of nature.
- Raise the general level of technical and design skills in the local community.
- Focus on young people in the community interested in design and crafts, who would benefit from these design skills and become involved in the development of a brand identity.
- Widen the range of craft products currently produced in AlUla to include higher level bespoke items and corporate gifts as well as aiming at a younger and more design oriented market.
- Engage the local community and nurturing inter-generational learning and sharing of knowledge.
Core Programmes at Marasaat Addeera
The Vocational Training Programme
One-year course for local 18+ artists focused on the Art of the Order of Nature in AlUla. The Programme aims to enhance awareness of the beauty and richness of AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage. Giving students a solid foundation in traditional arts and crafts by teaching principles of design rooted in the Order of Nature. Culminating in building a core group of confident young designer-makers to inspire the creation of locally relevant artworks and products.
This hands-on programme allows students to explore their own creative paths connecting to the traditions of their culture and expressing them through their own voice.
Design and Production Studio
A graduate programme for students of the Vocational Training Programme, gives the opportunity for maturity of skills with focus on product development. It provides space, time and mentorship for the student to develop their design skills, creating prototype ideas and products. With further practical training, set in the context of real-life commissions, graduates can further develop their skills and work towards product prototypes to be released onto the market.
Art Residencies Programme
Our Art Residencies Programme allows experienced artists as well as young graduates to discover and learn more about the local arts, crafts and materials of AlUla while immersing themselves into the beauty of its landscapes. During the residency, the artist would explore the landscape; spend time with local craftsmen learning about the local techniques, to create a piece of work that reflects that the key philosophy of the School’s work in AlUla – The Order of Nature.
- Invite international and local artists to experience and learn about of the crafts, techniques and painting materials of AlUla.
- Expand awareness of the value of the artistic heritage of AlUla and enrich artistic practices by sharing techniques and practices.
- Nurture and support practicing artists in the understanding of the origins of their materials and the diversity of cultural applications.
- Engage the community and students of the Design and Production Studio through workshops and talks.
- Connect national and international artists through cultural exchange.
- Offer artists the opportunity to exhibit newly created work as part of a group show during the Winter festival season.
Public Programmes
Activities, talks and workshops for all ages offering the wider community in AlUla to get involved in traditional arts and crafts of their heritage. Everyone has the chance to try something new, learning from the wide community of local and international artists and teachers of The School of Traditional Arts. The school offers an extended programme during the winter festival seasons of AlUla. The workshops are for 18+, children & families; they are free to attend, all materials provided, just booking is required.
Winter Festival
The King’s Foundation School of the Traditional Arts runs a substantial public programme and Art Residencies programme throughout the winter festival season to create public art in AlUla every year.
The Design and Craft Vocational Training Programme
The Programme
The Design & Craft Vocational Training Programme is a one-year course of study of integrated design and craft modules.
The Programme teaches design and craft application in a fully integrated way, enabling you to develop as both designer and maker. An intensive programme that offers the unique opportunity for you to learn and gain inspiration from the philosophy “we are nature”, go deeper into sourcing local materials and design and make products reflecting the environment of AlUla through creative & contemporary means of expression.
The course benefits local artists & craftspeople by increasing critical analysis, design development, design applications and craftsmanship.
On the course, you will learn:
- Design principles through the study of Geometry
- Colour making processes using local rocks and earth
- Stone Carving techniques
- Palm-Frond Weaving techniques
- Wool Felting and Weaving with Natural Fibers
- Embroidery with Natural Dyes
- Wood Carving
- Product design development
The course is delivered by the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London; bringing teachers from across Saudi Arabia and internationally, giving great variety of knowledge and expertise. Students on the programme will also engage with the other activities at the School in AlUla, such as exhibitions and public programmes.
The academic year will complete with an end-of-year review of all modules. On completion of the course, graduates will receive a Certificate from the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts.
After the completion of the one-year programme, invited graduates will have the opportunity to be selected to train further in the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts Design and Production Studios and form a young team of local designers and makers.
The programme will:
- Enhance awareness of the beauty and richness of AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.
- Give a solid foundation in traditional arts and crafts.
- Teach principles of design rooted in on the Order of Nature and found in traditional arts and crafts.
- Inspire the creation of locally relevant artworks and products.
- Establish a culture of community that is grounded in universal principles and is expressed through the unique way that learning, making and teaching are conducted at the School of Traditional Arts;
The Order of Nature
AlUla is an area of natural beauty which contains some of the most significant and cultural historic sites in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to preserve and enhance the natural, historic and cultural heritage of AlUla. It values art and creativity as vital contributors to the region, building on its unique beauty and adding to the quality of life of the local community and economy.
AlUla’s beauty is both hidden and revealed and offers intriguing contrasts that provide inspiration for artists and craftspeople – flat desert plains dotted with rock formations elaborately carved by the Nabateans and containing hidden stories and skilled craftsmanship; exotic desert plants and flowers aligned perfectly in their hidden symmetries and structures and offering a visual aesthetic as well as practical resources to the local community; the bright night sky unaffected by artificial light behind which lay beautifully hidden patterns created by planetary movements – all are governed by the order of nature principles. This order underlies the entire cosmos and is also hidden and revealed within us.
AlUla’s natural beauty and underlying harmony and order will provide creative inspiration for the development of art and craft products unique to AlUla, so that visitors and the local community alike will be inspired to reconnect with the principle “we are nature” and to respect and preserve the beauty and harmony of AlUla.
Partners
