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Doha Design District (DDD) hosted its first Talent Gathering, an initiative designed to introduce local artists and designers to the District while fostering opportunities for engagement and collaboration within Qatar’s creative community.The programme began with a session, led by DDD director Dana Kazic, who outlined the District’s mission, vision, and long-term business strategy. Attendees were able to directly engage with the DDD and Msheireb Properties team, gaining insight into DDD’s role as a strategic collaborator.The programme also included a guided tour at the DDD building, offering the community an overview of the various spaces and facilities available. The tour highlighted the ecosystem being developed to support design-led businesses and cross-disciplinary collaboration. 

Indian community organisation Qatar Tamizhar Sangam (QTS), conducted the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Literary Festival recently, inspiring young minds through an expanded line up of creative and literary competitions.This year’s edition was broadened to include drawing, essay writing, and poetry competitions, in addition to the traditional elocution event. More than 250 students from various Indian schools in Qatar participated across sub-junior, junior, and senior categories.The organisers noted that the expanded range of competitions was aimed at fostering inclusivity and inspiring more students to participate — an initiative closely aligned with Dr Kalam’s belief in nurturing curiosity, creativity, and confidence in children.The prize distribution ceremony and a special poetry event had Embassy of India's deputy chief of mission Sandeep Kumar as the chief guest. Winners in each category were honoured with trophies and certificates, while all participants received certificates of appreciation.Adding an intellectual dimension to the event, a talk show on Sangam Literature was conducted, exploring its immense influence on ethics, life values, and contemporary culture. Scholars and speakers discussed how Sangam literary works continue to guide modern society with timeless wisdom on humanity, love, valour and moral conduct.The festival concluded with renewed inspiration for participants and attendees, echoing Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s guiding words: “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”

Stars of Science, an initiative hosted at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation, is marking its 17th season, celebrating its evolution from a televised competition into a leading scientific and creative movement that is helping shape the region's innovation ecosystem.Since its launch in 2009, the initiative has supported the development of 55 innovative projects and partnered with hundreds of educational institutions, inspiring thousands of young people to pursue their ideas. Its alumni now play an active role in mentoring new participants, reinforcing the sustainability of the region's innovation cycle.To date, 175 graduates from 18 Arab countries have produced impactful innovations in health technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and education.The winner of Season 17, Dr Laid Dardabou of Algeria, exemplifies the programme's legacy. His innovation, ViDa — a smartwatch system that estimates Vitamin D levels and helps prevent related mental health symptoms — secured top public votes and earned the judges' praise for its integration of biotechnology and emotional well-being.

The Theatre Affairs Centre has announced a new training workshop, titled 'Play Writing', presented by academic and playwright Dr Sharif Manjoud, set to take place from November 15 to December 3 at the Ministry of Culture's Theatre Affairs Centre.This workshop is part of the centre's initiatives aimed at supporting local theatrical talent and honing the skills of young writers. It is expected to combine theoretical and practical aspects, enabling participants to learn the fundamentals of creative writing, the components of a theatrical text, plot development techniques, and character development.The workshop also forms part of the centre's strategy to develop the theatrical movement in Qatar by empowering creative individuals in all aspects of theatrical work, particularly in writing, which is the cornerstone of the creative process.During the workshop, Dr Manjoud will address several key topics, including the concept of dramatic action, conflict construction, and theatrical dialogue. He will also provide an analytical reading of a number of international and Arab texts, encouraging participants to prepare short scripts that will be presented and discussed at the end of the workshop before a specialised committee.

The Ministry of Culture organised a dialogue session Wednesday evening entitled "Opportunities of the Creative Economy in a Changing World," on the sidelines of the "Art and Design Village" festival at Darb Al Saai.The session aimed to highlight the pivotal role of the creative economy as an engine for sustainable development and to explore its new horizons in light of rapid global transformations, particularly in the fields of technology and digital transformation.The session was presented by media personality Iman al-Kaabi.The speakers discussed the legal and institutional frameworks necessary for the flourishing of creative industries and reviewed successful models in this field.Hamid Ibrahim, head of Creative Operations at Kogali, emphasised that the partnership with Disney+ to produce the series "I wago" represents a pivotal step. He explained that the most significant advantage lies in leveraging the immense global reach of the Disney brand, renowned for its rich heritage and extensive experience in animation.Ibrahim summarised the philosophy of working in the creative economy with the phrase, "Thinking in terms of the entire ecosystem". This perspective goes beyond simply creating a character for a film; it encompasses adapting that character into a series or designing them for products like lunchboxes, confirming that the industry is growing and expanding in this way.Abdulaziz al-Kubaisi, owner and founder of Lusail Art Production Studios, highlighted the importance of integrating creativity with the economy, calling for the transformation of studios and creative activities into "sustainable economic platforms in the face of global competition."Al-Kubaisi explained that the creative economy is the art of transforming creativity, activity, and hobbies into income-generating economic value, noting that this concept represents the turning point from pursuing a hobby to establishing a business.Qatar-based filmmaker Obada Jarbi emphasised that documentaries and feature films represent a long-term investment tool and a form of soft power capable of building a creative economy that reflects local identity and culture. He stressed that this type of content can replace traditional public relations and advertising campaigns.Jarbi discussed the pivotal role of cinema as a "long-term investment" for the country, adding that many major global cities owe their popularity primarily to what has been portrayed in films, thus reducing the need for massive advertising campaigns.Qatari entrepreneur Nada Khamis Mohammed al-Sulaiti, founder of Alama Jewellery, revealed the motivation behind launching her brand in 2011. She explained that growing up in a home deeply rooted in heritage inspired her to be the one to tell Qatar's story, emphasising that Qatar is "the most deserving of telling our identity and stories" to the world.Qatari entrepreneur Abdullah al-Mana called on young people and the community to adopt the concepts of the creative economy as a fundamental pillar for diversifying income sources, stressing that this economy opens "new and numerous horizons in industries" away from total dependence on the traditional economy.

Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) organized the "Qatar Rail Creative Hub", with a wide participation of representatives from government and semi-government entities, alongside various creative talents, promising professionals, and leading national companies specializing in creative production.This initiative is part of Qatar Rail's ongoing strategy to build bridges of communication and collaboration between public sector entities and the local creative community, Qatar Rail said in a press release.Chief of Strategy and Business Development at Qatar Rail Ajlan Eid Al Enazi, stated: "Through this hub, we sought to create a platform for local talents and national companies to showcase their expertise in production, photography, advertising, design, and branding, while promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the creation of new success stories and partnerships. We hope this initiative serves as a significant step toward strengthening partnerships, fostering innovation in Qatar, and enhancing communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors in the fields of production and creative industries."The event provided participating companies and talents with the opportunity to present their services and capabilities through dedicated showcases and promotional materials. The networking offered a platform for engagement and knowledge exchange between organizations and local creatives.Participants expressed their appreciation for this initiative, which helped highlight national capabilities and their contribution to supporting communication and creative production projects across various entities in the country.Director of Public Relations and Communication Department at the Civil Aviation Authority, Talal Abdulla Al Malki, said: "The Qatar Rail Creative Hub offered us a valuable opportunity to connect with exceptional national talent capable of providing integrated creative and production solutions that meet our institutional needs. Such initiatives undoubtedly strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors and open new horizons for constructive future partnerships."Director of the Public Relations and Communication Department at the General Tax Authority, Nasser Ali Alhijji, stated: "The Qatar Rail Creative Hub provided us with an ideal opportunity to engage directly with local companies specializing in diverse fields of creative and production. We were impressed by the showcasing throughout the event and look forward to building on these connections to develop our upcoming projects in alignment with our institutional strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. We were pleased to attend this event that empowers local companies to showcase their capabilities and enhance their presence in the market."

The final phase of Qatar’s 25-year cultural plan features ambitious global projects designed to strengthen the nation’s position as a hub for art and innovation, according to Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.“Over the next decade, we will be introducing one project after another to continue to build a knowledge-based economy and support the growth of the creative economy,” she said in her keynote address marking the Qatar Creates anniversary season at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).The keynote was delivered against a backdrop of institutional milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the NMoQ, the 20th anniversary of the QM, and the 15th anniversaries of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and the Doha Film Institute (DFI).HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that the plan involves three major institutions, which will further globalise the country’s cultural impact: the Qatar Auto Museum, the Lusail Museum, and the Art Mill Museum.These projects, she said, “hold two of the world’s most extensive and diverse collections”.The QM chairperson said that these museums will be amplified by the upcoming Art Basel Qatar, scheduled for February 2026, which signifies a major push into the international art market.HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said the Lusail Museum, designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron and situated on Al Maha Island, will house the extensive collection of Orientalist art.Beyond a repository, it is envisioned as an institute where international scholars and artists convene to explore East-West connections.On Doha’s waterfront, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that architect Alejandro Aravena and his firm Elemental are transforming an industrial flour mill into the Art Mill Museum.This project, she pointed out, is planned to be “more than a museum”, serving as a vibrant creative village for art, craft, and design, facilitating connections between local and international creative communities.“Over the past two decades, we have been able to invest in both our hardware and software,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa continued. “The hardware being the buildings, such as the one hosting us now, and the software being the talented people who bring our dreams to life.”She stressed that the future focus must be on cultivating this “software”, the creatives and innovators within the ecosystem, to build the knowledge economy.The core mission of the new strategy, she added, remains supporting local talent and growing the creative economy, extending the reach of existing platforms like the DFI, the Fire Station, and M7.“Culture is no longer a separate sphere, it is inseparable from our social, economic and environmental development,” said HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, who led the celebration of recent activities highlighting Qatari creatives. “It is the heart of our nation uniting our diverse communities.”These include the Liwan Open Studios and the inauguration of the Fashion Trust Arabia exhibition, “Threads of Impact”, which brought more than 80 designers to Doha.She noted that even the children’s focus is rooted in creativity and community health, pointing to the Dadu Children’s Museum of Qatar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sport Museum.According to HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, the Children’s Museum will work with artists from the Fire Station, reinforcing the strategy of “globalising the local and localising the global”.She also underlined the nation’s cultural achievements under the banner of a new 18-month campaign, “Evolution Nation”, marking 50 years since the founding of the NMoQ.

The Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation, has wrapped up Creative Labs, a two-week, studio-based training programme where more than 30 students turned their ideas into working prototypes. Hosted at the QSTP and Qatar Scientific Club (QSC), the programme attracted more than 160 applications. By the end of the programme, participants had developed 17 prototypes after an intensive journey through hands-on innovation, design thinking, and technology integration. Teams developed inclusive health wearables, designed playful furniture for the elderly, reimagined single-use event items with biodegradable alternatives such as mycelium and potato starch, and built games that spark conversations about social issues. Each project combined social purpose with emerging technology, encouraging participants to explore problems from fresh angles and to design solutions with impact. Developed with NuVuX, a global leader in creative education, impacting more than 13,000 students and 1,850 teachers through their design-based practices, and delivered in partnership with the QSC and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), Creative Labs brought high school and university students, educators, mentors, and industry partners together under one roof. “Creative Labs proves what is possible when curiosity and purpose come together,” QSTP Innovation and Entrepreneurship director Hayfa al-Abdulla said. “In our studios, educators and students are not just learning – they are inventing, prototyping, and building solutions the world needs, backed by Qatar’s leading innovation partners.” “The QSTP, through programmes like these, is shaping a generation of impact-driven innovators who will redefine industries, drive new ventures, and disrupt markets,” she said. “We take pride in our collaboration with the QSTP through the Creative Labs programme, empowering students and innovative educators,” said QSC deputy executive director Abdulrahman Saleh Khamis. “By opening our fully equipped and advanced laboratories and workshops to participants, we aim to support the development of promising prototypes and innovations.” “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering research, innovation, and advancing Qatar’s knowledge-based economy,” he said. Participants left with practical solutions and the skills to apply them. The ideas developed hold promise to impact community, meet human purpose, and reinforce the QSTP’s role as a global tech hub, a statement added.

Qatar Museums (QM), celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, will present a wide-ranging programme of cultural, educational, and creative activities for the community this September, a statement said Thursday.From stargazing during a once-in-a-century lunar eclipse at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) to storytelling and family tours at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), and workshops at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, M7, and Liwan, the month is filled with opportunities to learn, explore, and be inspired.Highlights also include Tasweer’s immersive photography lecture with Kamal Naji, archaeology-inspired workshops, and interactive sports debates at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.Mathaf presents workshops and training sessions ranging from portraiture with Ismail Azzam to creative fashion upcycling and public speaking skills.How to Write a Public Speech: September 3, 4-5.30pm - A series of interactive training workshops designed to enhance communication, public speaking, and vocal expression skills, positively impacting participants’ personal and professional abilities.Art lessons with Ismail Azzam: Every Sunday and Tuesday throughout September, from 4-6pm - Participants will learn different portraiture techniques using various mediums, including pencil, charcoal and paint.Fashion Forward, September 29, 4-6pm - Upcycling Style is a 7-month journey happening once a month at Mathaf.NMoQ welcomes families for interactive storytelling, drop-in activities on pearl diving heritage, and guided tours that bring Qatar’s culture and history to life.Drop-in Activity: The Life of the Pearl Divers - English session: September 7, from 11am to 12noon. Storytelling: Mya’s First Day of School, September 11, 5-6pm. Family Tour: Family’s Exploration Journey - English Session: September 13, 1-2.30pmMIA offers experiences including a once-in-100-years total lunar eclipse viewing, family days, and creative workshops celebrating the beauty of nature in Islamic art.Total Lunar Eclipse: September 7, 7-10.30pm (eclipse peak at 8pm) - A public astronomy event organised by MIA in collaboration with Qatar Calendar House. The programme includes live observation of the total lunar eclipse from MIA Park, along with interactive astronomy activities for the whole family.Daytime Activities relating to the Total Lunar Eclipse: September 7 - Guided tour, English session at 3pm, for adults, exploring the scientific and technological contributions of the Islamic world.Treasure Hunt at 4pm - A family-friendly game for children (8+) and their families, combining fun with educational clues themed around the lunar eclipse.Art Workshop at 4.30pm - A creative session for adults, to create artwork inspired by the lunar eclipse. Family Day: The Blessings of Qur'anic Plants and their Meanings.September 13, 3-5pm - In collaboration with the Qur'anic Botanic Garden, the public are invited to discover the hidden blessings of Islamic plants and learn about their significance and representation in Islamic art and traditions.Sacred Gardens: The Plants of the Qur'an - September 23, 3-4.30pm3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum inspires dialogue on sport and society through international conferences, debates, and family-friendly peace-themed activities.321 Goals - September 7-11 4-6pm: A series of three week conferences, debates and hackathons will invite high profile speakers to debate the “big issues”.Celebrate International Day of Peace with Us: September 21, 10am to 12noon - This year’s theme, 'Act Now for a Peaceful World' reminds us that peace is not just a dream—it’s something we create together.Liwan Design Studios and Labs combines tradition and technology in a laser cutting and pattern-making workshop that bridges heritage with modern design.Design Meets Tradition: Laser Cutting & Pattern-Making Workshop - English Session: September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 4.30-6.30pmQM’s Archaeology Department engages children in hands-on artefact workshops exploring pottery and drawing techniques inspired by Qatar’s archaeological discoveries. Artefact Workshop - English Session: September 23, 4-5.30pm.M7 invites participants to develop fashion illustration skills in a hands-on drawing workshop designed for beginners, and personalise their own postcards in a creative session. Creative Letter and Post Card Workshop: English Session: September 20, 11.30am to 1pm.