Qatar Museums (QM) is proudly participating in International Museum Day—a global celebration of museums and their importance in promoting cultural understanding and exchange— by offering free entrance to all QM museums and exhibitions, from Friday 17 to Saturday 18 May 2024.
The initiative enables both residents and visitors to Qatar to explore QM’s world-acclaimed network of museums including the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and others, plus all QM temporary exhibitions, at no cost.
Commenting on the occasion, CEO of Qatar Museums, Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi said “At Qatar Museums we are committed to providing inspiring experiences through our world-class cultural institutions, and so in celebration of International Museum Day, we are delighted to be offering free entry to all our museums and current exhibitions, welcoming everyone to come and explore what we have on offer.
He added, “This initiative isn’t just about access; it’s about encouraging each of us to seize the opportunity to discover something new and immerse ourselves in the wonders of art and culture”.
International Museum Day is an international day held annually on or around 18 May, co-ordinated by the International Council of Museums. This year’s theme, Museums for Education and Research, aims to highlight the pivotal role of museums in education and research, and emphasises the significance of museums as dynamic institutions that promote learning, discovery, and cultural understanding.
In addition to free entrance, Qatar Museums extends an invite to the public to take part in two exciting public events, taking place at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) respectively.
An Islamic Pattern workshop will take place at MIA in collaboration with sculptor and geometric artist Adam Williamson. “International Museum Day: Shapes and Structures” will explore building 3D structures found in architecture and patterns inspired by Islamic art. Participants will work together building a structure from hundreds of sticks and other materials inspired by Islamic patterns. The workshop is for all ages and will take place in the MIA atrium on 22nd May 2024 from 4 PM – 7 PM. While the workshop is free to attend, registration is required.3-2-1 (QOSM) hosted an event titled “International Museum Day: The Power of Museums in Building a Sustainable Future” which welcomed the public to enjoy a vibrant programme, including a live theatrical performance by Qatar Academy Sidra, panel discussions featuring speakers across various fields such as education and arts, and networking sessions. Attendees took part in workshops spanning a range of themes, from archaeological excavation to pottery and t-shirt design. The event also involved a guided tour of the museum galleries, inviting visitors to partake in an inspiring interactive journey through the history and legacy of sports and the Olympic games.
Qatar Museums invites the public to explore its full arts and cultural offering all year round with free entrance for all Qatari nationals and residents of Qatar. Free entry is granted upon presentation of a valid QID. To explore QM’s full arts and cultural offering, and to see what’s on, visit: https://qm.org.qa/en/.
In addition, QM has various films available on YouTube for everyone to enjoy in celebration if International Museum Day, including an introductory film, available in English and Arabic, showcasing the National Museum of Qatar, and two short films which employ dance and movement as a unique language to express unique visitor journeys at the National Museum of Qatar and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.
To learn more about International Museum Day 2024, visit https://icom.museum/en/international-museum-day-2/.