| | | | |  | QAIC Takes Delegation of Cultural Leaders to Visit Sites of Qatar From 10-15 January, 2022, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) hosted museum and cultural leaders from institutions across the United States as part of an immersive cultural delegation to Qatar. Over the course of five days, the delegates had the opportunity to visit various art, historical and culturally significant sites across Doha, meet with several high-level cultural leaders, and experience first-hand the rich heritage and traditions of the region, all in an effort to encourage future cross-cultural exchanges between the United States and Qatar. The delegation was comprised of a diverse group of individuals whose unique interests in Qatar allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the nation’s artistic and cultural offerings. |
| | |  | | QAIC Takes Part in the 31st Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) Earlier this month, the QAIC culture delegation attended the 31st Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) during their visit to Qatar. This year, we were able to showcase our A2Q Magazine in a special edition at the US Embassy Pavilion. In accordance with our monthly theme of Literature & Education, we are excited and honored to commemorate this achievement and celebrate cultural dialogue between Qatar, the United States, and the wider Arab and Islamic worlds. |
| | |  | A2Q Magazine Last year we launched our digital magazine, A2Q (America to Qatar), spanning the work of artists and the insights of experts from the United States, Qatar, and the Arab and Islamic worlds. As a digital platform serving creatives with diverse perspectives in art and culture, A2Q addresses subject matter in the aim of bridging cultural barriers and cultivating understanding. While at its core A2Q provides a voice to culture, history, and art relating to the Arab and Islamic communities around the world, A2Q also exists in recognition of the universal appeal of creative expression and the benefits of cultural convergence. With four issues published last year, we are excited for the release of our first issue of 2022, scheduled for the beginning of April, which will have an enhanced look and reader experience. Stay tuned for more updates! Interested in being featured in an upcoming issue of A2Q? You can submit your work to our PostScript initiative, as an artist, writer, or academic for a chance to be featured. If selected, we will contact you to begin the editorial process. Click here to find out more. |
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| |  | |  | Expressions: The Contemporary Art Scene in Doha Join us for our upcoming Expressions Art & Culture Talk on Thursday, February 10 at 11 am EST featuring some of the artists participating in the "Ruwad: Pioneering Contemporary Arts of Qatar" exhibition. Hosted in partnership with the al markhiya gallery in Doha, "The Contemporary Art Scene in Doha” will give audiences an inside look at the current art scene in Doha from the perspective of four of the artists currently on display at the QAIC headquarters. Moderated by QAIC Executive Director Fatima Al-Dosari, panelists will include Fatima Al Mohammed, Ebtissam Al Saffar, Mubarak Al-Malik, and Sarah Al-Ansari, who will share their insights and experiences as Qatari artists adapting to the ever-evolving art environment in Doha. Please join us for this lively discussion to hear the perspectives of four contemporary Qatari artists and their views on the future of art in the region. |
| | |  | | |  | | Women of the Pandemic Traveling to Doha The “Women of the Pandemic” exhibition marked another addition to the series of exhibitions that further QAIC’s mission of connecting creatives, convening communities, and celebrating cultures. The exhibition closed to the public in December of last year and will relocate to Doha for its debut in Qatar in March 2022. For more information about this exhibition, the participating artists, and virtual viewing, visit Women of the Pandemic. |
|  |  | H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani Joins QAIC’s Honorary Board of Trustees
“Culture allows us to recognize our common humanity and has the power to shape our communities and forge a sense of identity and belonging." - Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani.
In December 2021, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the chairperson of Qatar Museums, joined QAIC’s Honorary Board of Trustees. H.E. is one of the most powerful and influential Arab leaders in the art and culture world, and serves as Chairperson of Qatar Museums; a key implementer of Qatari cultural policies, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, and one of the organizations carrying out Qatar's National Vision 2030 program for comprehensive development, progress and prosperity for Qatar. |
| | |  | QAIC Celebrates Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture with Double Exhibition Opening In celebration of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture last year, on December 16 QAIC hosted an opening reception in partnership with Qatar Museums and the Years of Culture team to recognize the two newest exhibitions currently hosted in QAIC’s Washington, DC headquarters: the Years of Culture 2021 Photography Exchange exhibition, "Light & Shadow: A visual journey through Oregon," and "Cultural Fusion" exhibition in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University - Qatar. The event will also recognized Qatar Foundation's newest initiative, the Alif Baa Harf Park. The event was attended by guests from both Qatar and the United States. Cultural Fusion: The Cultural Fusion exhibition of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture. The exhibition began in Core Studio 2 at VCUarts Qatar and is comprised of the artwork of eight graphic design students. The premise was to explore the ongoing relations between the United States and Qatar through design. The project allowed a variety of creative freedom, and the result was a multitude of diverse outcomes with both serious and playful approaches, eight of which are on display in this exhibition. Light & Shadow: A visual journey through Oregon As part of the Qatar - USA 2021 Year of Culture program, the Light & Shadow: A visual journey through Oregon exhibition presents the work of two photographers, Andrew Studer and Khalifa Al-Misnad, during their ten-day journey photographing the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
While embarking on the journey as strangers, Studer and Al-Misnad quickly bonded through their shared love of photography and nature. The result of their journey is a series of photographs that not only serve as documentation of the natural wonders in the Pacific Northwest but also as individual perspectives meeting to appreciate the present moment. Embodying the true spirit of the Year of Culture program, both photographers championed each other’s inquisitive nature while learning from one another. The exhibition is on view until late March 2022 by appointment only. |
| | |  | Premiere Screening of "HER" On December 15, 2021, QAIC and its partners hosted a screening of the documentary “HER” at our headquarters in Washington, DC. For the first time screened in the United States, this film highlights the stories of heroic women who shattered barriers to achieve excellence in their fields, while also advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with their work. In partnership with the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS), this special event recognized the many women leaders making a positive impact in the world with remarks provided by GIWPS’ Executive Director and former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer. |
| | |  | Current Exhibitions and Museums With several exhibitions and displays hosted in our Washington, DC headquarters last year, here are some that are currently available for in-person or virtual viewing: Interested to tour our exhibitions? Schedule a visit! |
| |  | |  | Qatar Foundation, Lemelson Center, ConocoPhillips boost youth to invent at Spark!Lab Earlier this year, young inventors were given the chance to innovate and create in a dynamic environment brought to Qatar through a collaboration between Qatar Foundation (QF) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. Developed by Lemelson Center, Spark!Lab is an experiential learning and activity space that provides children and young people with opportunities to invent, design, collaborate and find solutions to real-world problems, equipping them with STEM skills that can ultimately help them build careers in creative industries. Together with ConocoPhillips Qatar, Qatar Foundation (QF), and the Lemelson Center created a pop-up Spark!Lab at Education City during the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, where young participants worked together on innovations themed around accessibility and sport. The partnership will also make invention education learning materials globally available in the Arabic language. “Our future relies on the next generation of inventors, as our communities and industries will need their ideas to solve challenges and power our economies. Spark!Lab plays an invaluable role inspiring children to become leaders in STEM fields, encouraging them to foster lifelong passions for science and engineering,” said Todd Creeger, President of ConocoPhillips Qatar. Bringing Spark!Lab to Qatar this year reflected transatlantic ties that have been reinforced during the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture (YoC), and as the international cultural exchange program led by Qatar Museums was marked at our headquarters here in Washington, DC last month during our YoC opening reception. Students from QF were given a tour of the Smithsonian Institution and the Lemelson Center, including the Spark!Lab which is based at its home right here in Washington, DC. |
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| |  | Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz The Cairo Trilogy is a magnificent epic trilogy of novels written by the Egyptian novelist and Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz, and one of the prime works of his literary career. The trilogy is made up of Palace Walk (بين القصرين, Bayn al-Qasrayn), first Arabic publication 1956; Palace of Desire (قصر الشوق, Qasr al-Shawq, 1957; and Sugar Street (السكرية, Al-Sukkariyya, 1957). The three novels' Arabic titles are taken from the names of actual streets in Cairo, the city of Mahfouz's childhood and youth. The first novel, Bayn al-Qasrayn, is named after the medieval Cairo street in the Gamaliya district where the strict socially conservative protagonist, Ahmad 'Abd al-Jawad, and his family live. The second novel, Qasr al-Shawq, is named after the street where his eldest son Yasin and his family live, whereas the third, Al-Sukkariyya, is named after the street where his daughter Khadijah and her family live. The book is available for purchase here. |
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 | Join Our Community The Qatar America Institute for Culture offers numerous opportunities for students, post-graduates, and those passionate about the arts and cultural heritage to engage with the work of the Institute. Whether you are looking to conduct in-depth research projects, learn various professional skill sets, or simply wish to get involved with QAIC’s event programming, we want to hear from you! These offerings include priority access to exclusive engagements with featured guests, intimate receptions with visiting artists, and other annual benefits to better serve you as a platform for cultural and creative enrichment. |
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| | | | | The Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates, curates, and executes programs and research that amplify the prominence of all forms of art and culture from the United States, Qatar, and the larger Arab and Islamic worlds. |
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