A landmark development in the Saudi music scene has taken place with the establishment of the kingdom’s inaugural Professional Music Association. This significant stride was made possible through the approval of Ahmed Al-Suweilem, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector.
The newly-formed board is spearheaded by Maestro Mamdouh Saif as its President. Notable members include Prince Saud bin Abdul Majeed bin Saud serving as Vice President, Ahmed Abu Bakr Balfaqih as the Financial Supervisor, with Saleh Al-Shadi and Emad Zare as members.
Mamdouh Saif, the President of the Association, elaborated on its goals, stating the primary objective is to propel the music sector towards innovation, excellence, and sustainability. The association is committed to rejuvenating the music industry by engaging and supporting professionals, facilitating training programs, and providing essential knowledge, tools, and consistent auxiliary services. Furthermore, it aims to honor artistic achievements and foster communication among industry professionals.
The association boasts an impressive roster of founding members alongside the board members. This list includes Qusai Khudr, Abdulrahman Al Saad, Essam Bahri, Ahmed Al-Amoudi, Rami Abdullah, Mohammad Al-Sinan, Diaa Khoja, Abeir Balbeid, Ali Khafaji, Faisal Alyamani, Abdullah Al-Qarni, Ahmed Al-Wasil, Rayan Al-Saqaf, Khalil Al-Mowail, Nour Sakhouna, Nasser Al-Saleh, and Aaidh Yousuf.
This monumental initiative falls under the umbrella of the Culture Ministry’s strategy for the non-profit sector. This strategy, endorsed by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Minister of Culture, aims to establish 16 professional associations across 13 cultural sectors throughout various regions of the kingdom. The overarching goal is to construct a diversified system of non-profit organizations spanning multiple cultural domains.
With the birth of this association, the music scene in Saudi Arabia is poised for transformative growth, promising a bright future for artists, professionals, and enthusiasts alike.
