HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), has welcomed the increase in the number of school visits to QM’s museums, art workshops and education programmes during the 2018/2019 academic year.
According to data released by QM’s Department of Education, 22,430 schoolchildren took part in over 680 visits, with Doha’s iconic Museum of Islamic Art being the most popular destination.
In addition to visits to MIA, schools also participated in the education programmes offered by Mathaf: Museum of Arabic Modern Art; the National Museum of Qatar, Fire Station and other institutions under QM’s umbrella. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa was particularly impressed by several government and international schools which stood out for their commitment to instilling appreciation for arts, culture and heritage among its students.
Welcoming the increase in school and student engagement, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, QM Chairperson said: “Central to QM’s mission is our commitment to nurturing the young generations and offering them high-quality opportunities in the fields of arts and culture through our museums, galleries, public art and heritage sites.
By inviting schools to visit our exhibitions and experience our programmes, QM enriches the educational landscape of the State of Qatar. As our nation continues to develop and grow, it is important to have as many schools and students as possible be involved in cultural experiences, broadening their horizons.”
Speaking about the opportunities offered to the schools, Director of Education at QM Dr Jelena Trkulja said: “QM’s ambition is to provide high-quality, interactive learning opportunities for communities and schools across Qatar.
“We hope that museums and heritage sites are being used as learning resources and places where history, heritage and art can be taught on tangible examples that students can experience for themselves.
“Educators at QM create programmes throughout the school year that offer a broad array of learning opportunities and connect to various subjects in the curriculum.”
QM’s Department of Education, which is committed to providing interactive opportunities for families, students and adults to create lasting memories and foster creativity in society, is currently preparing its programme for the new school year with the expectation that engagement will continue to rise.
Schoolchildren during a museum visit.
