Qatar Museums Announce Leadership Changes

Qatar Museums (QM), a major implementer of Qatari cultural policies and the government entity that oversees a number of the Gulf emirate’s museums, heritage sites, and festivals, on February 20 revealed five newappointmentsin the organization’s top echelons. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi, since last July the acting CEO of QM, will assume the role permanently. “My first months at Qatar Museums have been a period of immersion into the invaluable work of the organization and the remarkable, ongoing accomplishments of its components and staff,” said Al-Rumaihi in a statement. “I am eager to move ahead with our extraordinary staff, including the newly appointed directors, as we realize the ambitious and still-growing mission of Qatar Museums.”

The remaining leadership changes variously entailed promotions and lateral moves. Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz Al Thani, previously deputy CEO of museums, collections, and heritage protection, will rise to become chief of museum and heritage development, while Julia Gonnella, who since 2017 had served as director of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha, will instead helm the Lusail Museum in Al Maha Island. Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, who has been with the MIA since 2007 and oversaw its 2022 relaunch, will take over from Gonnella as director of the MIA, while Abdulaziz H. Al Thani, who led Qatari Museums’ sponsorships program, will become director of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) in Doha.

Qatar Museums in recent weeks also revealed new details of the yet-to-be-built Lusail Museum, one of three arts institutions announced in 2022 as part of the country’s long-running drive to become an international arts and culture hub. Designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, the Lusail, which will house arguably the world’s largest collection of Orientalist art, resembles a low bowl with a striated, sand-textured finish in a muted beige hue. Meant to conjure a full moon enveloped by a crescent moon, the building is intended to reflect what the architects describe as “universal meaning,” and to respond to the region’s building traditions.