The International New York Times and Qatar Museums welcomes leading figures to Doha for ‘ART FOR TOMORROW’ Conference

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The International New York Times ‘Art for Tomorrow’ conference opens in Doha today and will run until 16 March 2015. Organised under the patronage of Qatar Museums and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage of Qatar, the conference reflects growing international recognition for Qatar’s contribution to dialogue and progress through art.

Taking place at the W hotel, the conference focuses on the role of art and architecture in building communities, developing commerce and enriching lives around the world. More than 200 senior leaders from the arts, public and private sectors, tourism experts, city planners and business developers will attend the event to discuss the changing dynamics of art and architecture and their potential to transform people and places.

‘Art for Tomorrow’ will also provide delegates with important insights into the changing shape of Qatar’s arts and culture scene, the growing maturity of its creative community and its development as a progressive, artistic hub.

During the three days, delegates will attend the opening of the Fire Station, a new artists’ residence programme designed to support artists in Qatar and provide a platform for creative exchange. They will hear talks from diverse and notable figures from the artistic and cultural community represented by Qatar Museums including pre-eminent Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad, Dr Abdellah Karroum, Director of Mathaf, and Arab Museum of Modern Art and Jean-Paul Engelen, Director, Public Art Programs at Qatar Museums. They will also visit Crusades and Other Stories, a major solo exhibition by Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, acclaimed as one of the most powerful and urgent voices to emerge from the Middle East in the last decade.

Under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson, Qatar Museums has made significant progress during the last ten years in connecting the nation’s cultural institutions and heritage sites to enable them to flourish. Hosting Art for Tomorrow 2015 is further proof of the organisation’s success in consolidating Qatar’s efforts to become a vibrant centre for the arts, culture and education, in the Middle East and beyond.

Commenting on the Art for Tomorrow conference, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said: “Art, creativity and heritage play an important role in Qatar and support the realisation of our National Vision 2030. Hosting Art for Tomorrow 2015 reflects our country’s progress in bridging cultures, encouraging cultural exchange and nurturing creative talent. It is a privilege to host such a diverse and renowned group of experts, cultural figures and institutions from around the world. I am confident this event will support continued communication between nations, people and histories, and demonstrate the power of art and culture in inspiring dialogue and enriching lives.”

The diverse group of speakers at the conference includes a wide range of internationally renowned figures and cultural pioneers, as well as the leading lights of the arts and culture community from across the Middle East and in Qatar:

· Jeff Koons, Artist

· Jack Lang, President of L’Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris

· Jean Nouvel, Architect

· Rem Koolhaas, Architect and Professor, OMA and Harvard University

· Martin Roth, Director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London

· Bruno Vinciguerra, chief operating officer, Sotheby’s

· Dr. Lars Nittve, Director, M+ in West Kowloon

· Friedhelm Hutte, Global Head of Art, Deutsche Bank

· Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO Qatar Airways

· Victoria Siddall, Frieze Art Fair Director

· Gail Lord, President, Lord Cultural Resources

· Adrian Ellis, AEA Consulting