To mark its first-year anniversary, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has launched an Open Call for artists and designers, to submit creative designs for the museum’s new mascot.
NMoQ has selected the dugong, a large marine mammal that has lived in Qatari waters for over 7,500 years, as its mascot. This initiative is part of the programming around the museum’s upcoming exhibition on dugongs set to open next year in collaboration with ExxonMobil Research Qatar.
The Arabian Gulf is home to the second largest population of Dugongs in the world. These mammals are currently included in the World Wildlife Fund’s vulnerable list and raising awareness of them links to the museum’s key themes around sustainability and conservation. The design of the dugong should have a unique concept which symbolises NMoQ’s identity and relates to Qatari culture, in an aesthetic and appealing manner.
The deadline for submission of design is 1 July. Independent artists and designers from all age groups and nationalities are welcome to submit their designs. International submissions are also welcome.
The prize for the winning design will include major media and press interviews for the artist and coverage featuring the design, recognition by Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and NMoQ Director Sheikha Amna bint Abdull Aziz bin Jassim Al Thani, a free culture pass membership and gift package from the NMoQ Gift Shop. If an international artist is selected, the prize will also cover a round-trip ticket to Doha.
NMoQ was inaugurated on 28 March 2019, and since then has welcomed over 600,000 visitors from all around the world. The museum was also recognised for its efforts in sustainability by receiving the LEED Gold certification, a first-ever certificate awarded to a national museum. NMoQ remains one of Qatar’s key landmarks that highlights the country’s culture and heritage.
To learn more about and/or to apply for the dugong mascot design open call, visit this link: nmoq.org.qa/dugong-mascot-open-call
