Qatar Museums, in collaboration with partner universities of Qatar Foundation in Education City, took part in the inaugural orientation session of the Art, Culture and Heritage Program, marking the start of a series of gatherings aimed at fostering discussions and collaborations in research and academic initiatives at the intersection of art and education.

Held on the campus of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), the inaugural event began with a welcome from Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and GU-Q Dean Dr Safwan Masri.

In his welcome address, Dr Masri highlighted the participants’ shared human development mission.

In Qatar, we are fortunate to have a highly engaging and engaged artistic environment as well as a plethora of superb educational institutions and resources. And when art and education meet, exciting opportunities emerge, revitalizing not just the art world, but also adding a valuable new dimension to teaching and learning.

He said that the effects of this convergence reverberate far beyond both spheres, encouraging inclusive participation, enhancing personal and professional growth, and inspiring a desire for lifelong learning.

The programme was facilitated by student and international debating champion Moza Al Hajri (GU-Q’26).

The first panel featured representatives from Qatar Museums who shed light on the diverse art and cultural offerings provided by participating institutions.

The panellists included heads of Qatar’s prominent arts and culture institutions such as

  • Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani, Director, National Museum of Qatar
  • Zeina Arida, Director, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
  • Dr Tara Desjardins, Curator of South Asia, Museum of Islamic Art
  • Essa Al Mannai, Director, Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar
  • Abdullatif Al Jasmi, Director, Cultural Heritage Protection,
  • Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Acting Deputy CEO of Exhibitions, Public Art and Publications
  • Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi, CEO, Doha Film Institute

Members of faculty from Education City campuses shared examples of effective integration of cultural and art resources in research and in academic course design and delivery. The panellists from the academic community included

  • Dr Julie Boeri, Associate Professor, MA in Translation Studies, HBKU
  • Astrid Kensinger, Chair of Graphic Design, VCUarts Qatar
  • Dr Holiday Powers, Assistant Professor, Art History, VCUarts Qatar
  • Dr Zachary Wright, Associate Dean and Professor in Residence, Liberal Arts Program, Northwestern Qatar
  • Rana Kazkaz, Associate Professor in Residence, Communication Program, Northwestern Qatar
  • Dr Rogaia Abusharaf, Professor of Anthropology, GU-Q
  • Dr Firat Oruc, Associate Professor, Culture and Politics, GU-Q

Rounding out the discussion, a panel of Education City alumni who are now contributing to various cultural entities in Qatar, also discussed their professional journeys. The panel included

  • Ameni Abida (GU-Q, UCL-Q), SFS 2019, Exhibitions Coordinator at the Auto Museum
  • Amal Ali (NU-Q), BSC 2018 Exhibitions Coordinator, Fire Station Artist in Residence
  • Bouthayna Al Muftah (VCU-Q), BFA 2009, artist
  • Aleesha Suleman (GU-Q), SFS 2012, Exhibition Projects Coordinator, Qatar Museums
  • Al Jazi Al Thani (VCU-Q), BFA 2018, Acting Head of Exhibition Design, Qatar Museums
  • Nouf Al Thani (GU-Q), SFS 2012, Head of Strategic Insights, Qatar Museums and Adjunct Instructor, GU-Q

The Arts, Culture and Heritage Inaugural Joint Orientation is the first in a series of events set to take place at different educational and cultural venues across Qatar. Each event will offer universities an opportunity to explore the resources, collections, exhibitions, and ongoing research at each location.

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