Qatar Museums (QM) will be hosting the Intercom Doha 2023 Conference, bringing together museum professionals from around the world from May 7 to 9 at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). The ICOM Qatar-hosted event is titled ‘The Future Museum: Framing the Skills and Mindsets of the Visionary Leader Conference’ and organised by ICOM-Intercom in partnership with QM, and in collaboration with CIMAM, ICOM SEE and ICOM Croatia.
The aim is to address the challenges and obstacles facing cultural institutions, as well as discuss the latest innovations and trends in the museum field. As the pre-eminent cultural institution in the region, QM plays a crucial role in driving change and serving as a role model for the museums sector. The host venue, NMoQ, which opened in March 2019 in a building designed by Jean Nouvel, seeks to preserve and celebrate Qatar’s heritage and natural history, engage with its present, and inspire the country’s ambitions for the future.
In a press statement, QM chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said: “Intercom, the International Committee for Museum Management, is the world’s leading organisation in its field, helping professionals set the standard in establishing best practices for governing and administering museums and advancing them in their missions.
“The subject of this meeting of ICOM – Intercom Doha is especially urgent, giving participants the opportunity to review the research ICOM – Intercom recently conducted into the impact of global crises on museum leaders and decision-makers. It is deeply meaningful to Qatar Museums to host a gathering that will produce new insights and solutions for a matter of such far-ranging importance."
QM CEO Dr Ahmad al-Namla said: “As a global leader in museum innovation and cultural diplomacy, QM is committed to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among museum professionals worldwide. We are honoured to host Intercom 2023 in Doha, a conference which offers a unique opportunity for professionals to exchange ideas and insights, and we are incredibly proud to be part of this conversation.
“We look forward to sharing our expertise and learning from one another, whilst welcoming our colleagues from around the world to experience the best of our rich cultural heritage, vibrant contemporary art scene, and world-class portfolio of museums and galleries.”
Through a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference will provide a platform to exchange ideas and share best practices in the field of communication and the museum sector. The conference will revolve around three major themes, all connected to visionary museum leadership, firstly, the profile of the museum leader, essential skills, and mindset required for effective leadership; secondly, visions for the future of museums, shaped by the exchange of cross-cultural knowledge and experiences; and lastly the nature of effective museum governance, and why it is essential to the success of a museum.
The event is expected to welcome delegates from around the world, including museum directors, curators, educators, researchers, and communication professionals. The confirmed speakers for the event are: Sheikha Amna al-Thani, acting deputy CEO of Museums, Collections and Heritage Protection, and director of NMoQ; Dr Vlatka Hlupic, one of the world’s most influential, award-winning thought leaders on individual and organisational transformation; Dr PierLuigi Sacco, professor of Cultural Economics, IULM University Milan; senior researcher, metaLAB at Harvard, and visiting scholar at Harvard University, and special adviser to the European Commissioner for Education and Culture; Dr Desmond Hui, professor and head of the Department of Art and Design at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.
The National Museum of Qatar.
