Years of Culture
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2024/09/19
Under the leadership of QM Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Museums is the nation’s foremost cultural institution. This pioneering network of museums, galleries, public artworks and heritage sites are at the heart of Doha’s vibrant and ever-expanding cultural scene.
Qatar Museums work with leading curators, artists, academics and talented conservation experts to create unforgettable exhibitions and interactive exhibits with cutting-edge technology.
From Qatar’s rich history and traditions to contemporary art and design, there is something to offer every interest. Encapsulating so many different aspects of history and culture in Qatar, here are some of the most inspiring and unmissable museums and galleries in Doha.
Qatar Museums institutions are free to visit for all residents of Qatar (and non-residents under the age of 16). Generally, for adult non-residents, tickets cost 50 QAR, and 25 QAR for students. Select QM galleries and historical sites are free to enter for all.
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) unites the country’s past, present and future under one roof, celebrating the identity, culture and heritage of Qatar.
Designed by world-famous French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum’s eye-catching architecture was inspired by the intricate forms of the naturally occurring desert rose. Embodying the meeting of past and present, the National Museum of Qatar was built around the restored palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, which is also open to visitors.
Recent exhibitions include Your Brain to Me, My Brain to You by Pipilotti Rist, the Swiss artist’s first museum exhibition in the Middle East, and Growing Kopi, Drinking Qahwa - The Story of Coffees in Qatar and Indonesia, in collaboration with the National Museum of Indonesia as part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.
Set within an iconic building on Doha’s waterfront, The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is home to precious artefacts and artworks spanning over 1,400 years. The museum was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei, who is also known for his glass pyramid structure at the Louvre in Paris.
The jewel in the crown of Qatar Museums, MIA was temporarily closed for an impressive renovation ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Since reopening, the Qatar Authority Museum is better than ever, with enhanced, state-of-the-art displays throughout the galleries, and never-before-seen artworks and objects unveiled to the public.
Located in Education City, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is a leading museum in Doha dedicated to contemporary Arab art. With more than 9,000 artworks in the Mathaf Collection, it is the world’s largest specialised art collection of its kind.
In addition to showcasing its impressive permanent collection, the museum hosts solo and group exhibitions featuring the work of important contemporary artists from across the region.
Inaugurated in 2022, the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic And Sports Museum is a member of the international Olympic Museum Network. Designed by Spanish architect Joan Sibina, the museum building is a visual representation of the five olympic rings.
The 3-2-1 museum in Doha explores the origins and historical significance of the Olympic Games. Sports fans will enjoy seven different galleries featuring memorabilia from sporting events of the past, an athlete’s hall of fame and much more.
Adjacent to the Museum of Islamic Art, in the rolling grounds of MIA park, Qatar Museums Gallery Al Riwaq is a gallery space with a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions in Doha, featuring some of the world’s best-known artists.
The gallery in Doha has hosted some of the most exciting Years of Culture initiatives over the years, including temporary exhibitions by art-world icons such as Jeff Koons: Lost in America (2022), Driven by German Design (2017), What About the Art: Contemporary Art from China (2016), Relics by Damien Hirst (2013), Ego by Takashi Murakami (2012) and more.
Fire Station is a contemporary art centre, home to vibrant gallery spaces, artist studios and a successful Artist in Residence programme giving local artists access to world-class facilities, mentorship and the opportunity to showcase their work.
Recent public exhibitions include the show stopping Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” at the Garage Gallery. Fire Station was also the chosen venue for the Opening Ceremony of the Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture, which marked the tenth anniversary of Years of Culture.
Qatar Museums are in the process of developing three major new museums: Art Mill Museum, The Lusail Museum and the Qatar Auto Museum.
Designed by famed architect Jacques Herzog, the upcoming Lusail Museum will house the largest collection of Orientalist artworks and rare texts in the world. Exhibition Tales of a Connected World at QM Gallery Al Riwaq offered a preview of the concept and design.
Visitors to NMoQ can enjoy a Sneak Peek at Qatar Auto Museum, set to open in 2024 and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Rem Koolhaas (architect of the beautiful Qatar National Library).
Qatar Auto Museum will bring together car enthusiasts with 30,000m2 of permanent galleries and exhibitions exploring the past, present and future of the automobile industry and the global impact of cars.
Set to open in 2030, the Art Mill Museum will house an exceptional collection of contemporary artworks in a state-of-the-art 80,000 m2 building by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena.
With so many groundbreaking museums in Doha, Qatar has truly established itself as a leading destination for the arts and culture.
Wrapping up, here’s the complete list of Museums open to visitors in Qatar:
Read more about the National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art on the Years of Culture website.
