The principal aim and activity of the Painting & Patronage initiative is to build valuable bridges of cultural, artistic and educational understanding between Saudi Arabia, the Arab world and the wider international community.

Through high profile events and programmes held throughout Saudi Arabia and in partner countries, Painting & Patronage aims to promote the teaching of the visual arts and to establish a higher and deeper level of appreciation and understanding of each other’s distinct and diverse cultures and traditions. Among its activities are painting and photographic exhibitions, summer schools, outreach programmes, university and college lecture series.

Since its creation in 1999 His Royal Highness has launched significant cultural programmes across Saudi Arabia including in Riyadh, Jeddah and Abha. International programmes have been launched in cities across the United Kingdom, Portugal, France and Montenegro. In April 2010 Prince Khalid Al-Faisal announced a new two year 10th anniversary programme together with HRH The Prince of Wales. This programme will initially feature cultural programmes in Burnley, East London and Jeddah. During 2011 other activities are planned across Western and South Eastern Europe.

Encouraging young people’s creative abilities and the exchange of cultural ideas is central to vision and ethos of HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and Painting & Patronage. We aim to provide young people with a valuable outlet to express their culture and aspirations and through harnessing this artistic energy, we believe it will provide an important foundation stone for a peaceful society.

In 2007 Painting & Patronage was granted the High Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. The Vice President of Painting & Patronage is HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal and since 1999 Sir Anthony Bailey, KGCN, OBE, GCSS, has served as Chairman and Special Counsel.