Qatar Museums (QM), in a landmark year for the country’s cultural scene, marks two decades of transformative cultural development while the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) commemorates 50 years as a cornerstone of the nation’s heritage.
As part of the twin milestones, QM launched ‘Evolution Nation’, an 18-month campaign curated by Qatar Creates to reflect on the country’s cultural journey and envision its future as a global hub for creativity and heritage.
According to QM, this initiative highlights Qatar’s achievements in arts and culture while deepening its global presence through major international collaborations and exhibitions.
Established in 1975 as the Qatar National Museum, the NMoQ evolved into an iconic institution that embodies the country’s identity.
From its original home in the historic palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani to its transformation into Jean Nouvel’s architectural marvel inspired by the desert rose, the museum continues to be a space where Qatar’s history is preserved, experienced, and reimagined.
To mark NMoQ’s golden jubilee, the museum will host a series of public events and programmes throughout the year, culminating in a major anniversary exhibition in October 2025.
A key initiative, “Memories from the Public”, invites residents and visitors to share personal stories, images, and reflections tied to the museum’s history — offering a collective portrait of its enduring impact.
NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani described the milestone as “a tribute to our rich history, the vibrancy of the present, and a commitment to inspiring future generations.”
QM is also expanding Qatar’s global cultural footprint through high-profile international engagements. At Art Basel 2025 in Switzerland, QM showcased a curated selection from the Lusail Museum’s growing collection, ahead of Art Basel Doha, set to debut in February 2026.
In Hong Kong, QM and the Hong Kong Palace Museum unveiled “Wonders of Imperial Carpets,” the first major exhibition in the city to spotlight Islamic imperial carpets. Featuring masterpieces from Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, the show explores centuries of cultural exchange between the Islamic world and China.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, Qatar’s official pavilion — commissioned by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and led creatively by QM’s think tank, Qatar Blueprint — offers visitors an immersive journey into the relationship between the land and sea in Qatari culture.
Designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates, the pavilion houses a multimedia exhibition by OMA and a striking “Sea Curtain” by Inside-Outside, with a three-screen film by The Explorers chronicling Qatar’s evolution.