Interview: Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi
What role do museums and cultural development play in Qatar’s broader tourism ambitions?
MOHAMMED SAAD AL RUMAIHI: Qatar’s tourism industry has seen significant growth, surpassing 2022’s full-year international arrivals by the beginning of the third quarter of 2023, despite 2022 being the year of the FIFA World Cup. Room demand has also risen over 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Cultural tourism plays a vital role in this success, drawing international visitors to Qatar’s museums, galleries, heritage sites and nature reserves. Additionally, the development of the tourist-friendly city of Lusail, where a major new museum is being built, contributes to this trend. However, our national ambitions extend beyond tourism.
Cultural activity serves as a crucial bridge between Qatar and other countries, fostering trust and understanding through cultural exchange initiatives like our Years of Culture programme. We aim to be perceived globally as a place that values arts and heritage, integrates them into daily life, and provides opportunities for talented youth in the creative industries – both domestically and regionally.
How are Qatar’s cultural stakeholders collaborating with colleges and universities to nurture talent and support the growth of the cultural segment?
AL RUMAIHI: QM collaborates closely with colleges and universities in Education City, Doha. We offer career opportunities for students at VCU arts Qatar and engage with students at Georgetown University in Qatar through our work in international relations and soft power. Such initiatives benefit students across disciplines, which is why we established Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Education City. Furthermore, we are actively involved in developing institutions to support the creative industries, such as M7, Liwan Design Studios and Labs, and the new Qatar Preparatory School. Together with platforms like the Tasweer Photo Festival, Design Doha and Fashion Trust Arabia, QM is committed to nurturing the creative industries comprehensively and inclusively at all levels.
In what ways is the growth expansion of Qatar’s museums and exhibitions expected to play a role in societal development?
AL RUMAIHI: Qatar’s museums cover a wide range of topics including arts, Islamic culture, history, heritage, archaeology and science. As QM continues to expand its network, it plays a critical role in cultural awareness and heritage preservation, ensuring Qatar’s stories, traditions and artistic expressions are preserved for future generations. Through exhibitions, education and outreach, the aim is to engage the public, raise cultural awareness and promote critical thinking.
Looking ahead, QM is expanding with four new major projects: Lusail Museum, housing the world’s largest collection of Orientalist paintings; the Art Mill Museum for modern art, the Qatar Auto Museum and Dadu, the Children’s Museum of Qatar. Each will offer immersive environments and facilitate the cultural exchange of local and global perspectives. By preserving and promoting our cultural treasures, we aim to contribute to the enrichment of Qatar’s cultural landscape and the global conversation around the importance of preserving and celebrating our shared human heritage.
To what extent are museums adapting to the challenges posed by digital technology?
AL RUMAIHI: From our perspective, technology is an opportunity rather than a challenge, and we take pride in how Qatar’s museums embrace the latest methods and also innovate in this space. For instance, the National Museum of Qatar implemented an artificial intelligence-assisted guide and search engine one full year before ChatGPT was launched. In addition, ultra-high-definition, large-scale films were produced in collaboration with the Doha Film Institute and digitally projected onto the curved walls of exhibition galleries.
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