FACT SHEET
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Date of Opening
1 December 2008
Location
Corniche Street, Doha, Qatar
Background An iconic feature of the Doha skyline, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) represents Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years. Inspired by elements of Islamic architecture, noted architect I.M. Pei designed the museum. It is connected to MIA Park, where one can participate in activities, rent bicylcles and paddleboats, or gaze at impressive views of the city. MIA is the flagship project of Qatar Museums (QM), which under the leadership of its Chairperson H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is transforming the State of Qatar into a cultural capital of the Middle East.
Mission MIA sheds light on our origins to illuminate our future. Through safeguarding collections of Islamic art and showcasing extraordinary exhibitions, MIA shares knowledge, spreading curiousity, understanding, and joy.
Leadership H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Chairperson, Qatar Museums H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani Vice Chairperson, Qatar Museums Aisha Al Khater Director, Museum of Islamic Art
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Collection The MIA collection includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones. Collected from three continents, including countries across the Middle East, and reaching as far as Spain and China, MIA’s collection dates from the 7th through to the 19th century. The permanent collection is divided over two floors in the main building. The first floor provides visitors with an introduction to some of the greatest works of Islamic art in the introductory gallery, before examining the major themes of this tradition – calligraphy, pattern, science and figural imagery. Following this, the second floor follows the journey of Islamic art from 7th century Arabia to 19th century Turkey, via the palaces of Córdoba, the bustle of medieval Cairo and the mountains of Afghanistan. The Collections Division itself is made up of curatorial, conservation, registration, galleries and exhibitions staff, all of whom work towards preserving and presenting the arts of Islam to better understand our present.
Building Architect
I. M. Pei Architect (New York)
The museum, an architectural masterpiece jutting 60m (195ft) into the Arabian Gulf off Doha’s Corniche, rises from the sea and is connected to shore by two pedestrian bridges and a vehicular bridge. A C-shaped peninsula and park area on the shoreline behind the museum offer shelter and a picturesque backdrop. Design Highlights The museum is composed of a five-storey main building and the two-storey Education Centre, which are connected across a central courtyard. The main building’s angular volumes step back progressively as they rise around a central domed atrium 50m (164ft) high. The dome is concealed from outside view by the walls of a central tower. A sheet of glass rises to a height of 45m (148ft) on the north side of the museum offering views of the Gulf and West Bay area of Doha from all five floors of the atrium. Ceilings are constructed of intricate cast-in place architectural concrete coffered domes, finished with individual molds. At the top of the atrium is the circular oculus of a stainless steel dome, which captures facets of patterned light. The form of the
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dome changes as the structure descends, so its perimeter becomes an octagon and then a square, which in turn is transformed into four triangular column supports. Facilities • • • • • • • • • •
Two floors of permanent exhibition galleries Two Temporary Exhibitions Galleries One Special Exhibitions Gallery Two outdoor courtyards flank the vast atrium area A 195-seat auditorium Prayer halls for men and women A gift shop A world-class conservation lab and object storage A library and closed rare-books study section Classrooms and offices
MIA Café Located on the first floor of the Museum, the space provides a luminous interior facing the magnificent exterior skyline. From breakfast, lunch to afternoon cravings, the variety of assortments includes French gourmet sandwiches with Arabic accents, a wide choice of salads, homemade bread, thin crusted viennoiseries and of course divine pastries. The freshest ingredients are used by our chefs daily to prepare healthy and delectable menus and our baristas will welcome you with the finest coffees, inventive hot chocolates and specialty tea recipes; all day long, during museum opening hours. Designed by Philippe Starck, oversized sofas and communal tables are nestled around the soaring 45m window of the museum offering guests the perfect environment to relax, enjoy gourmet food, surf on the net and absorb the great fountain of lights. Visitor Information Museum of Islamic Art Al Corniche, Doha, Qatar Telephone: +974 4422 4444 Website: mia.org.qa
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Audio Guide Audio guides for adult and family tours in either Arabic or English are available for all visitors and focus on the permanent collection. Museum Hours Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10:30am - 5:30pm 10:30am - 5:30pm CLOSED 10:30am - 5:30pm 12:00pm - 8:00pm 2:00pm - 8:00pm 12:00pm - 8:00pm
The Museum is closed on some national days. For more up to date information concerning closures please refer to mia.org.qa . Admission There are no charges for admission, but the museum may charge to visit special exhibitions.
MIA Education Supporting learning and engagement with MIA’s collection MIA supports an active educational policy, and believes that museums are lively spaces, natural extensions to schools and universities, where learning is exciting. MIA’s education team works to support and enhance museum learning and engagement with its collection. MIA follows a discovery / constructivist approach to learning that complements formal education in institutions across Qatar. It provides opportunities for both formal and free-choice learning and develops educational materials and activities to support this. Programmes Learning takes place both in the gallery spaces, and in the Education Centre, which houses workshops, classrooms and the MIA library. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate in a range of events, activities, research and learning opportunities designed for schools, family, adult and specialist
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audiences. MIA currently offers bespoke gallery tours of the special exhibitions and permanent collections for all ages and groups; talks and lectures about Islamic art; behind-the-scenes insights into conservation labs and special exhibitions; walk-in activities, games and tours for families; academic conferences; art workshops and courses; calligraphy workshops and courses; library research training and educators’ events. Over 4600 children and adults have participated in family activities, educators’ events, lectures and talks, art and calligraphy workshops, and behind-the-scenes activities at MIA in the last year. Museum Guides and Curators have taken group tours for over 12,000 visitors of the MIA galleries and special exhibitions in the last year.
Library MIA’s library provides a resource unique to the Gulf region for the study of Islamic art and architecture. With over 10,000 books in Arabic, English and regional languages, and a variety of online resources and study guides, the library is an ideal place for school groups, students and researchers to find out more about the arts of Islamic civilisation. The library team welcomes individual enquiries, group tours, and holds regular story-telling and reading sessions for children. The library has received over 4900 visitors in the last year. It will be open for extended hours shortly to provide a quiet space for students from all over Qatar to study. Outreach & Participation MIA engages with diverse learning audiences and supports accessibility for all, reaching out to a range of local and expatriate audiences to encourage engagement and participation. Off-site presentations and calligraphy exhibitions help to take MIA out to communities. MIA has welcomed over 14,500 school children to its galleries and Education Centre in the last year through its Schools Outreach Programme. The Community Outreach team provides opportunities for volunteering at the Museum, in which young people and adults can experience the life of the museum and contribute to its activities and events. Education at MIA also responds to specialist audiences and supports research and understanding about MIA’s world-class collection. Since 2009, the Museum’s Visiting Scholar programme has been a successful initiative to enhance institutional knowledge. Distinguished scholars in the field have come to MIA to study parts of the collection and to collaborate with MIA staff in developing institutional knowledge and insight. MIA Visiting Scholars include Professor Charles Melville, Dr. Firuza Abdulaeva, Dr. Emilie Savage-Smith, Dr. Judith Pfeiffer, Chris Howgego, Dr. Asok Das, Michael Franses, Abdulla Ghouchani, Dr. Melanie Gibson, Dr. Marcus Fraser, Professors Robert and Carole Hillenbrand, and Professor David Roxburgh. Academics and experts in Qatar regularly contribute to lectures and talks at MIA.
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Visiting artisans working in the traditional Islamic arts also bring expertise and understanding about MIA’s objects. Local university students are also regularly welcomed to the Museum for access to the collections and advice from our curators, conservators and exhibition designers on their areas of research and projects. Activities (in English and Arabic) Weekly Workshops for adults and children Monthly Talks School Tours Conferences
MIA Park MIA Park is a 280,000sqm area located adjacent to the museum) and bordered by Doha Bay. It has been developed as an additional element to the adjoining museum, providing a space where the people of Qatar and visitors alike can relax and partake in cultural, educational and social activities. MIA Park is serviced by a coffee shop, ice cream shop and gift shop and includes activities such as paddleboats, bungee trampolines and a children’s playground. Bikes are available to hire for children and adults of all ages. The children’s playground is currently designed for 2-14 year olds, and will soon expand to include children and young adults up to the age of 17. The playground caters for disabled children and is free of charge. Other park activities may be ticketed. There is also a mini football pitch that can be utilised by any visitor to the park. Free wifi is available throughout the park for visitors to use. The park consists of large open grassed spaces that curve around the museum creating a secure bay and culminates in a peninsula that is highlighted with a Richard Serra sculpture. While the Serra sculpture dominates the Park, the green hills of the peninsula are also a major enticement for visitors seeking the perfect panoramic photo opportunity of the Doha skyline. MIA Park has been used for large national and international community events and will continue to provide a venue for entertainment, sporting, cultural and educational awareness programs. A Park Bazaar takes place every Saturday from November to May, and is an opportunity for the people of Qatar to sell their wares. Currently over 100 street vendors showcase an eclectic mix of food, jewellery, arts, crafts, clothing, souvenirs, perfumes and more in an open air market.
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The park also offers jazz nights once a month in collaboration with the St. Regis hotel, playing host to some of the world’s leading jazz bands. The times for park opening and services offered changes throughout the year to accommodate Ramadan and the summer months. For the latest up to date information on MIA Park please visit mia.org.qa.
Park Summer Hours (as of October 1) 10:30am – 11:00pm Closed on Tuesdays
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