•3 year partnership begins 1 January 2009
Doha - Qatar's magnificent new Museum of Islamic Art, the flagship project of the Qatar Museums Authority, has signed a partnership agreement with the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) Authority which sees the Authority become the Museum's Strategic Financial Partner for a 3-year period starting 1 January 2009.
The partnership agreement, which lasts until 31 December 2011, enables the QFC Authority and its staff to benefit from the Museum's state-of-the-art hospitality, education and learning facilities. Features of the agreement include hosting corporate and social events on Museum premises, private tours of the Museum galleries, involvement with educational workshops at the Museum, linkage between QFC Authority and Museum of Islamic Art publications, websites and other materials, and sponsorship of future exhibitions.
QMA Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Al-Najjar commented on the new agreement: "When choosing a strategic partner, the museum looks for a partner who possesses the same aims as ourserlves. The Qatar Financial Center Authority has earned a reputation for establishing global standards, promoting Qatar to an international audience and being a world leader in its sector - three qualities the QFC Authority shares with the Museum of Islamic Art."
The world's largest dedicated Islamic art museum, the 45,000-square meter, five storey Museum of Islamic Art will be under the patronage of H.H. The Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at a glittering ceremony on 22 November. One of the most significant cultural events in the history of Qatar, the spectacular ceremony will be the highlight of a week of celebrations before the museum opens its door to public visitors for the first time on Monday 1 December.
Stuart Pearce, CEO and Director General of the QFC Authority, said: "Qatar is very proud of its new cultural icon. The Museum of Islamic Art represents a range of different qualities that reflect modern day Qatar - its culture and heritage, modern architecture, sharing with the community and education. The QFC Authority is privileged to be the Museum's Strategic Financial Partner and will contribute enthusiastically and materially to its activities, the development of its reputation internationally and its use as a part of Doha's community."
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About The Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art opening 22 November 2008 is a pioneering project, setting apart the cultural vision of the State of Qatar, both in the region and across the world. Under the guiding vision of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority Board of Trustees, the project sets the founding stone in the cultural blueprint to transform the State of Qatar into a global capital of culture.
The Museum stands as an architectural masterpiece 60m off Doha's Corniche on an island made of reclaimed land. Pritzker Prize laureate, I.M. Pei, was commissioned to design the 35,500sq m Museum; inspiration for which he found in the 13th century sabil (ablutions fountain) of the 9th century Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun in Cairo, Egypt.
The stone-clad Museum is composed of a five-storey Main Building and a two-storey Education Wing, which are connected across a central courtyard. The Main Building's angular volumes step back progressively as they rise around a 50m high central domed atrium. The dome is concealed from outside view by the walls of a central tower. A glass curtain wall rises to a height of 45m on the north side of the Museum offering stunning views of the Gulf and West Bay area of Doha from all five floors of the atrium.
Collected from three continents including countries across the Middle East and as far reaching as Spain and India, the Museum's artworks date from the 7th through to the 19th century. Representing the full scope of Islamic art, the collection includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones, and are of superior quality.
Qatar Museums Authority was created in December 2005 to combine the resources of all museums in the State of Qatar. The Authority's vision revolves around the provision of a comprehensive umbrella under which future plans will be drawn for the development of national museums and the establishment of an effective system for collecting, protecting, preserving and interpreting historic sites, monuments and artefacts.
Qatar Financial Centre
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC will operate to international standards and provide a first class legal and business infrastructure for those operating within the QFC. The QFC was created by Qatar Law No.(7) and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.
For further information, please contact:
Krikor Khatchikian
Senior Account Manager
GCIgroup middle east qatar
Tel:+ 974 428 3128
Email: Krikor.khatchikian@greyqatar.com
Salam Al Shawa
Director of Marketing and Communications
Qatar Museums Authority
Email: miamedia@qma.com.qa
© Press Release 2008
