A public forum, scheduled to take place in two locations in Doha from February 22 to 23, is set to gather prominent thinkers and leading practitioners under one roof to share ideas and best practices, and discuss a wide range of topics on public art.

Under the patronage of QM chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the ‘Outside the Box: Public Art in Qatar’ forum is organised by the British Council in partnership with Qatar Museums (QM) and Qatar Foundation (QF).

“This collaborative partnership is another great example of how we are working hard to expand knowledge of public art in Qatar in alignment with our goal to push the boundaries of the traditional museum model and create cultural experiences that engage a wide variety of audiences,” said QM CEO Ahmad Musa al-Namla at a press conference on Sunday at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

“The aim of this forum is to initiate conversation that explores the history and present state of public art in Qatar and beyond while also sharing common ground for future collaborations and interventions in the public realm,” he noted.

Curated with the UK's arts organisation FutureEverything, the forum will include panel discussions, artists’ presentations, conversations, debates and other activities all exploring the meaning and role of art in ‘non-art’ domains.

Day one will take place at National Museum of Qatar auditorium and moves to the Qatar National Library on day two, bringing together artists, architects, developers, policy makers, museum and cultural organisations, academics and commissioners.

Sessions will be translated in both English and Arabic simultaneously.

“Our work in the arts aims to mutually strengthen creative sectors and ensure better connections with the UK. Over the last five years we have been collaborating in the area of Art in the Public Realm in Qatar, particularly focusing on interactive and inclusive practices and how public art encourages participation and connection between communities and creates vibrant, creative cities: benefiting trade, investment and tourism,” British Council Qatar director Sam Ayton said.

“This year we are thrilled to be joining forces with QM and QF to consider how we can extend this, innovate, reach new audiences, develop skills, and support livelihoods in this field,” she stressed.

Participating speakers include Abdulrahman al-Ishaq, head of Public Art at QM; Layla Ibrahim Bacha, senior art specialist at QF, artists Nadim Karam, Ghada al-Kater, Hiwa K, and Aseel al-Yaqoub; Taghrid Choucair Vizoso, producer at Shubbak Festival; Charles Quick, artist and curator at the University of Central Lancashire; Anita McKeown, SMARTlab Inclusive Design Research Centre, University College Dublin; Leon Palmer from Heinrich&Palmer; Sarah Collicott, Artscape Management Ltd; and other artists, among others.

“Public Art is a platform for civic dialogue, it engages citizens in conversation and presents a new way to experience the city,” said al-Ishaq.“Through our Public Art programme, QM strives to create opportunities for people in the country to access art and culture, as they go about their daily lives.”

“The programme also aims to inspire local talent and establish an organic connection between art and the local community. We are pleased to partner with the British Council and Qatar Foundation for this conference and look forward to exchanging ideas, expertise and aspirations for the future of arts and culture in Qatar,” he added.

The speakers will present and share a wide range of practices, from socially engaged work and activism, public art in the digital realm to developing and commissioning art for the public realm and social responsibility, mostly focusing on case studies in Qatar, the wider Middle East and North Africa region, the UK, and Europe.

“Art is universal – it is all around us, in many forms and on many platforms, and it has the power to touch and enrich people’s lives. Engagement with art opens up new perspectives, sparks creativity, fosters cross-cultural understanding, and encourages us to explore its message and what it means to our lives and the world we live in today,” QF’s Strategy, Administration and Projects executive director Hisham E Nourin said.

“As an organisation dedicated to making art accessible to all and supporting Qatar in becoming hub of culture and the arts, QF is delighted to be partnering with the British Council and QM for a forum that will examine what public art means, what it is and what it can be, and why it matters,” she added.

The forum, supported by University College London Qatar, will also have participatory sessions and workshops, as well as opportunities for developing new networks and forging future collaborations.


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