The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts to collaborate on jewellery education, training and cultural exchange. The agreement focuses on developing skills in the fields of jewellery craftsmanship, art history and gemmology through structured programmes delivered in AlUla.
Training sessions will be delivered at Madrasat Addeera located in the AlJadidah Arts district, comprising workshops, professional courses and hands-on learning designed for varying levels of experience. These initiatives aim is to support the development of local talent while aligning training standards with international practices.
Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at the Royal Commission of AlUla , explains: “In AlUla, we see tourism as a catalyst for cultural exchange, skills development and long-term economic value, not simply visitation. This partnership with L’École, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, brings world-class jewellery arts education into our destination ecosystem, strengthening Madrasat Addeera and the Aljadidah Arts District as places where creativity, learning and heritage converge. By investing in education and craft, we are ensuring that AlUla’s cultural offer continues to evolve in a way that is authentic, globally relevant and rooted in opportunity for the local community.”
The partnership extends beyond training to include joint work research and publishing. Both sides plan to develop content focused on AlUla’s craft heritage and to improve accessibility by translating educational materials into Arabic. These initiatives are intended to link local practitioners with international networks and create more opportunities for exposure and professional development.
Sophie Claudel, director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, says: “This partnership is testament to a shared vision and mutual belief that education is one of the world’s most empowering bridges between people. The cooperation between our institutions, across borders, reflects a strong commitment to enhance the knowledge and practical learning across the jewellery arts by providing them with unparalleled access to knowledge and expertise in jewellery craftsmanship, art history and gemmology, enabling our young people a promising path to a brighter future.”
The partnership supports ongoing efforts to develop AlUla’s creative industries and integrate craft education into its cultural framework. It also aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in advancing cultural development and economic diversification.
Karim Elayan, managing director of Van Cleef & Arpels KSA, notes: “This agreement between L’ÉCOLE Middle East and The Royal Commission of AlUla aligns with Van Cleef & Arpels’s values of transmission and education, cementing a partnership to spread and share the knowledge of jewellery with the general public in Saudi Arabia.”
