Identity and what it means to young people in Qatar is the theme of a new interactive display on show at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Library from January 11.
Working with Qatar Museums Family Programmes, students from Qatar Academy Doha (QAD) have produced the display and the result is a new project called My Museum.
The My Museum project involves more than 12 in-depth workshops, activity sessions and museum visits over a three-month period during school hours, after school and on weekends. Qatar Museums Family Programmes will hold a launch event on January 10 at MIA for parents, QAD students and staff.
Huda al-Yafai, head of libraries at Qatar Museums Family Programmes, said: “It is fascinating to note the views and ideas that children hold about Qatar and their place within it. In one section of the display, visitors can express their future dreams for Qatar by writing a wish on to a leaf and
attaching it to a Sidra tree.”
The museum visits provided the students with a strong sense of local history. Mohamed Abu Moza, 11, said: “I have enjoyed going to the museums, seeing Qatari artefacts and learning about what they did in the old days.”
During the My Museum project, the children developed their creative thinking, problem-solving, self-motivation and independence.
Nasira Sheikh-Miller, head of learning projects at Qatar Museums Family Programmes, said: “Throughout My Museum, the students have shown tremendous dedication and application to produce this display; we have also enjoyed developing very positive partnerships with MIA and QAD.”
The rich and varied collections of MIA and those of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum, were explored by the QAD students, while MIA’s staff also offered a rare glimpse to see “behind the scenes” of a museum in order to find out how such an institution is run. A highlight was a talk given by the curator of The Tiger’s Dream: Tipu Sultan exhibition.
Susan Allenspach, PYP co-ordinator at QAD, said: “This collaboration with museum staff has been phenomenal. It has broadened the perspectives of the students and enabled them to make powerful and meaningful learning connections with the wider community. We look forward to more collaborative projects with Qatar
Museums in the future.”