Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, cultural leader and chairwoman of the Qatar Museums board, believes that heritage is a bridge to the future of art. She highlights the importance of heritage globally and the shared understanding of how the past can impact the present and future. Al Mayassa is passionate about preserving heritage, stating that it is not just about buildings but also about sites and showcasing the tribes that people descended from.
In a recent interview, Sheikha Al Mayassa expressed her interest in cultural heritage and the future of art in the Middle East and around the world. Her family has reportedly purchased some of the most expensive artwork in the world, including Cezanne’s “Card Players” in 2011 for $250 million. She believes that preserving the past can shape the future and invests in young talent for film, art, and fashion. She believes that culture is a bridge that brings everyone together, and art in all forms, such as film, fashion, visual arts, dance, or music, can unite people. Al Mayassa also believes that Art for Tomorrow becomes a platform for people to meet and listen to different people and ideas.
Qatar’s vision for the future includes policymakers, planners, and decision-makers in its plans. The country plans to open two significant museums in 2030, the Lusail Museum and the Art Mill Museum. The Lusail Museum will house one of the world’s most extensive collections of paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, rare texts, and applied arts. The Art Mill Museum will be located in a former flour mill and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena. The museum and arts complex will incorporate the facade of the mill, with its soaring silos.
The National Museum of Qatar celebrates the natural history of Qatar and was inspired by the desert rose. The museum’s swirling and multilayered facade has made it one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. Through innovative exhibitions and installations, Qatar Museums is bringing heritage to life. The museum recently hosted an exhibition of contemporary art by Arab artists called “Arab Identities, Images in Flux.” The exhibition featured works by artists from across the Arab world, exploring themes of identity, culture, and tradition. Qatar Museums is also running a “Public Art in Qatar” initiative that brings art to public spaces across the country.
For Sheikha Al Mayassa, the goal is not just to preserve the past but to bring it to life in new and exciting ways. She believes that heritage is not static but alive and moving forward, evolving, and something people can connect with. Al Mayassa envisions a future where cultural heritage and contemporary art come together to create something new and exciting, and where museums play a central role in learning and discovery.