The Ministry of Culture named Douglas Gautier chief executive of the Royal Arts Complex in April 2025 to run the complex and develop its cultural programmes. MEED reported on 30 September 2026 that the complex is due to be handed over to the Ministry within three to six months, which points to December 2026 to March 2027. A handover moves responsibility for operations; it is not an opening announcement.
What it works on
Royal Arts Complex
MEEDSep 2026KSA.com / SPAApr 2025Timeline
Hartwig Fischer named founding director of the Museum of World Cultures
The Saudi Museums Commission named Hartwig Fischer as founding director and said the museum would open in 2026.
Douglas Gautier named CEO of the Royal Arts Complex
The Ministry of Culture named Douglas Gautier to run and programme the complex and prepare its operations.
Royal Arts Complex handover to the Ministry of Culture expected
MEED reported on 30 September 2026 that handover is due within three to six months, so between December 2026 and March 2027. No handover has been announced yet.