MUSCAT � The first step for setting up an �Oman Cultural Academy� has been taken here with the signing of an agreement for consultancy services for the project with Artax Studio Company of France.

The French firm was selected in an international tender. The academy, the country’s first integrated cultural project and expected to cost RO45 million, will occupy an area of 400,000 square metres and will be located at Airport Heights in Muscat, Heritage and Culture Minister Sayyid Haitham bin Tareq Al
Said said.

“Oman Cultural Academy will accommodate the National Documents and Archives Authority, the National Theatre, the National Library, the Children’s Library, the Literary Forum, Cinema House, Arts Institute and administration offices,”
he added. 
— ravindranath@khaleejtimes.com