Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place on its soil in November, Qatar have announced three new art museums to add to their rapidly expanding cultural offerings.
The Qatar Auto Museum with trace the history and evolution of the automobile and it’s influence on Qatari culture. Driving Simulators, a classic car restoration center and areas for children’s activity will be included in the project.
Art Mill will contain performance and exhibition galleries for modern and contemporary art alongside spaces for education and residency programs, production facilities, a village for Qatari creative industries, the Dhow Centre, and gardens.
Finally the four floor Lusail Museum will house one of the world’s largest collections of Orientalist paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures and rare texts. A library, an auditorium and learning spaces will also feature.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums said in the announcement at the 2022 Doha Forum:
“I am here today not only as a contributor to developing Qatar’s cultural institutions but as someone who is dedicated to helping my country realize its ambitious National Vision, so we can build the Qatar we want for our children and our citizens.”
Also in attendance at the forum was David Beckham, who rumour has it is being paid £150 million to act as an ambassador for the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Treated to a preview of the new 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, he commented on the country’s rapid cultural progress:
“Everything is about the future of the country, the vision that inspires so many people. I’ve been coming to Qatar since 2008, and it’s constantly changing. Actually, I was here a couple of months ago and it’s changed since then.”
