Today, Qatar Museums launched Sustainability Week 2023, the first of its kind, tailored for QM staff, families, and educational institutions in the country. The series of events will run from 19th – 23rd February 2023.
Qatar Museums’ Sustainability Week aims to engage Qatar Museums staff and the wider community in a variety of sustainability-oriented activities. Aimed at raising awareness among the public, the series of events will provide the local community with the tools and knowledge that will spark their interest in carrying out eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
The list of events includes:
- Qatar Museums Sustainability Week will be inaugurated by planting tree saplings at Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park on 19th February 9.30 a.m.
- Donate free plants in the Museum of Islamic Art Park on 19th February: volunteers will be provided with free tree/ plant saplings to nurture in their home.
- Sustainability Talk on 20th February in the National Museum of Qatar Auditorium: a special educational talk for schools and universities will be held to highlight the importance of implementing sustainable practices in daily life, the environmental impacts of built environment towards climate change and will explore some methods of measuring carbon footprints.
- Donation/Recycling Day in the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar on 21st February: dedicated collection areas will be available in both museums for donations that will be provided to Qatar Charity/Qatar Red Crescent Society.
- Light Out Day on 21st February: in efforts to reduce unnecessary energy usage, Qatar Museums is set to switch off lights across all its facilities overnight for half an hour.
- Sustainability in Arts & Culture on 22nd February: hosted in collaboration with the Doha Fire Station, artists and experts will discuss sustainable art practices.
- Beach Clean-up on 23rd February: volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in a beach clean-up activity alongside Qatar Museums’ staff and will receive a certificate of appreciation for supporting the local community.
Chief Executive officer of Qatar Museums Ahmad Al Namla said, “At Qatar Museums, we are committed to support Qatar’s cultural ecosystem through initiatives grounded by innovation and sustainability. In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar Museums’ vision of being an active player in the development of a more sustainable and contemporary culture where people live in harmony with nature, we host the Sustainability Week 2023. We enourage the public to join us this week to learn more about sustainable practices which will ensure a better future for our nation.”
To learn more about the events and to register, please visit: https://forms.gle/RUTFVB3q5FGKrQY78
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Future museums include Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, Qatar Auto Museum, Art Mill Museum and the Lusail Museum.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.