The Herritage & Culture
 Kuwait pays special attention to encouraging and refining the folk arts which reflect its strong folkloric traditions. The Folklore Preservation Center collects, records and classifies Kuwaiti folklore. Since 1982 folklore has been included within the curricula of local schools and as a subject studied by students of music, theater and fine arts. The national Council for Culture Arts and Letters is responsible for cultural planning, promotion and development and has helped to provide the cultural planning, promotion and development and has helped to provide the appropriate atmosphere for artistic and literary productions. The Council assumes the responsibility for disseminating culture and fine arts, the preservation and study of the national heritage, and the fostering of humanitarian bonds and ties through cultural exchanges at Arab and international levels.
The National Council is also responsible for running 26 public libraries spread throughout residential districts, in addition to the Central Library at Mubarakiya which ranks as the country's best research library with holdings of nearly 100,000 Arab and foreign volumes. A musical library contains about 3000 tapes and 150 biographical files on outstanding Kuwaiti artists, together with detailed annotations on Kuwaiti & Gulf songs and tunes.
Youth culture is encouraged through free annual art exhibitions and at special studios for free art established in residential areas. The Council sponsors festivals and scientific symposia dedicated for young peoples' culture, and participates in many exhibitions and competitions. Through organising Cultural Weeks in Kuwait and abroad the Council enhances cultural relations on an international level.
Bedouin art, the most characteristic expression of Kuwaiti folk arts, best illustrated by weaving of clothes, rugs and other products from sheep wool - an art known as Al-Sadu - is preserved and actively undertaken at Al-Sadu House, a cultural philanthropic institution which has attracted a group of bedouin women on a permanent basis to provide a constant supply of Sadu. Local residents and foreign visitors are always keen to own this bedouin textile in their homes.
There are numerous folklore troupes performing popular dances and these receive annual support from the government in order to promote heritage cultures. In addition Kuwait Television has formed the Kuwait Television Folklore Troupe which has acquired world renown in presenting Kuwaiti folklore abroad through its performances and popular dances at various world festivals.
The Ministry of Information plays an important role in the development of the formative art movement in Kuwait. It holds art exhibitions within Kuwait and abroad, and publishes artist's catalogues and drawings. The Kuwaiti Society for Formative Arts is a non-profit making society which holds an annual exhibition for its members and another for all artists resident in Kuwait.
The theater in Kuwait is also of importance as a cultural center. There are currently several theatrical companies in Kuwait, most prominent of which are the Gulf Theater, the Arab Theater, the Popular Theater and the Kuwaiti Theater. The Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts exists to provide special facilities for talented Kuwaiti actors, dancers and musicians.
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