Qatar Museums has unveiled its new initiative, Design Doha, planned to debut in 2024. This biennial extravaganza is set to become a premier platform within Qatar’s design community and across the wider MENA region. Spearheaded by Qatar Museums’ Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Design Doha will serve as a nexus for practitioners from the Arab world, fostering professional pathways and facilitating interaction with global design luminaries who will converge at the event.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa emphasised Qatar Museums’ multifaceted role as a global cultural hub. Beyond constructing museums, curating collections, and staging exhibitions, the institution actively nurtures the nation’s creative industries, supporting emerging talents on their trajectory to success. Recognising the paucity of platforms for regional designers, the inauguration of Design Doha stands as a testament to the innovation growing in the local design community. With an abundance of talent in the region, the primary objective is to provide a robust platform, enabling Arab designers to propel their creative practices and businesses onto the world stage.
The inaugural Design Doha, curated by Artistic Director Glenn Adamson, will begin with a week of special events and exhibition openings from the 24th until the 28th of February, with programming continuing through 5 August 2024. The main exhibition, ‘Arab Design Now’, will be available for viewing until August 2024. Additionally, the satellite exhibitions, namely ‘Colors of the City: A Century of Architecture in Doha’, ‘Weaving Songs in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain’, and ‘100/100 Hundred Best Arabic Posters Round 04’, will remain open for public viewing until March 2024.
The events will unfold within Msheireb, a creative neighbourhood that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Serving as the event’s host, the Doha Design District is situated at the heart of Msheireb. Design Doha assumes a pivotal role, further activating the district as a dynamic hub for creatives.
Shaikha Al Sulaiti, Interior Design Senior Manager at Doha Design District, expressed pride in hosting the inaugural Design Doha events. As a dynamic and innovative community, the Doha Design District has become integral to the city’s cultural fabric, elevating its status as a regional design hub. Anticipation runs high for the exchange of ideas and collaborations that will unfold as the global design community converges in Doha.
Design Doha promises diverse exhibitions, spanning architecture, urbanism, landscape design, textiles, woodwork, glass, ceramics, and graphic design. Over 20 activations curated by partner design studios in the region will enhance the biennial’s appeal. Notable site-specific commissions by international designers Choi Byung Hoon and Joris Laarman add a permanent artistic imprint, enriching the National Museum of Qatar and the Doha Design District, respectively. The event also features juried prizes offering monetary awards, mentorship opportunities, and market exposure, alongside illuminating conversations with global design leaders.
The centrepiece of the exhibition program, “Arab Design Now,” curated by Rana Beiruti, will showcase the work of more than 70 Arab designers. It explores the delicate balance between contemporary design and traditional methods, spotlighting environmental and sustainable design. M7, Doha’s centre for innovation, entrepreneurship, fashion, and design, will host this exhibition from February 24 to August 5, 2024. Other exhibitions include “Colours of the City: A Century of Architecture in Doha,” “Weaving Songs” in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, and “100/100 HUNDRED BEST ARABIC POSTERS Round 04.”
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM) stands as Qatar’s premier institution, offering enriching cultural encounters via a network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, art installations, and programs. Spearheaded by Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and patronis
ed by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, QM transforms Qatar into a dynamic hub for arts, culture, and education. Since 2005, QM has curated iconic spaces like the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf, and the National Museum of Qatar. The institution, driven by a commitment to inclusivity and innovation, pioneers initiatives such as the Creative Hub, fostering artistic talent and cultural infrastructure for a progressive Qatar.
Location: Doha Design District
Dates: February 24-28, 2024