Saudi Arabia’s Alwaleed Philanthropies has launched a new programme that will support female artists. The programme, Mizwada, is a partnership between the funder and Teeb, a multi-disciplinary Saudi design and production company.

Mizwada is a ‘bridge that connects our past to our present’, said Alwaleed Philanthropies in a statement.

A main objective of the Saudi-based funder is to support the preservation of local heritage, arts, and crafts – so Alwaleed was happy to support the programme. Artists supported by Mizwada will create pieces using locally resourced materials.

‘Two key challenges are clear among this sector, unemployment, and the lack of adequate skills training. We must work together to overcome these through programs that place women and girls at the heart of their initiatives. Our artisans produce products of a high quality and standard, with each product going through a lengthy process of quality control, resulting in products with best quality and perfect finishing. They are modern objects, but do however, translate our history and heritage,’ said HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies.