In Rabat and Tangier, two closing ceremonies marked a significant milestone for Morocco’s emerging generation of artists. These events celebrated the first graduating class of the Arts Academy, a bold initiative launched by the Al Mada Foundation with the aim of opening new creative pathways for young people across the country. Behind the performances, exhibitions, and emotional testimonials was a much larger ambition—using culture as a vehicle for social transformation, equal opportunity, and the nurturing of talent.
The program was developed in collaboration with Morocco’s Ministry of National Education and various regional education and training academies. Backed by several companies within the Al Mada Group—including Attijariwafa bank, Inwi, Managem, Nareva, and Marjane—the Arts Academy first took root in Casablanca as a pilot project. But in 2024, it expanded significantly with the launch of two new centers in Rabat and Tangier, each designed to serve as a model for a broader national rollout.
Nearly 300 young people, aged 15 to 21, most of them from underprivileged neighborhoods far removed from traditional cultural institutions, enrolled in the year-long program. They were immersed in a dynamic curriculum that combined visual arts, digital creation, hands-on workshops, cultural outings, and meetings with working Moroccan artists. At the heart of the Academy’s approach is a commitment to learning by doing, emphasizing not only artistic expression but also personal growth and self-discovery.
For many students, the experience was life-changing. Rayane, an 18-year-old participant in Rabat, shared how the program shifted his perspective. “I used to think art would always be just a hobby. Thanks to the Academy, I now see it as a real career path,” he said. Like him, many students found in the program a platform to assert themselves, gain independence, and envision futures that once seemed out of reach.
The closing events, held on October 15 and 17, were both celebrations and reflections. With official speeches, group exhibitions, and student performances, the ceremonies offered a vivid look at what these young people had accomplished—and a glimpse of what lies ahead. It was also a reminder that creativity and opportunity should not be confined to major cities alone.
Looking forward, the Academy plans to extend its reach even further. In 2026, three new centers are set to open in Marrakech, Laâyoune, and Sefrou. This expansion is part of a deliberate effort to root the program in diverse regions across the country, using culture as a tool to strengthen local communities and promote inclusive development.
Since its inception in 2009 under the umbrella of the Attijariwafa bank Foundation, the Arts Academy has already trained more than 2,000 young people. Now carried forward by the Al Mada Foundation, it stands as a clear expression of the group’s commitment to making arts education accessible, empowering, and transformative. The goal is not just to teach young Moroccans how to create—but to give them the confidence and agency to shape their own futures through artistic expression.
