Right now, traveling is still an activity we could only dream of doing.
Well, until it's safe for us to travel again, Qatar Museums offers myriad digital resources that allow visitors from around the world to experience its renowned collections and institutions online.
While its individual museums are closed to the public at present Qatar Museums maintains the following digital offerings in order to continue fulfilling their critical mission of providing spaces for respite, education and inspiration.
MATHAF: ARAB MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, can be explored through the Google Arts and Culture platform, offering a uniquely comprehensive overview of modern and contemporary Arab art.
Meanwhile, Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World provides free in-depth, peer-reviewed essays and biographies on modern and contemporary artists from North Africa, Asia and Middle East. Launched in 2013, the Encyclopedia includes entries commissioned from scholars and independent researchers and curators.
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
Take a 360° tour of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), an architectural masterpiece designed by the late Chinese American architect I. M. Pei.
Global audiences are also welcome to explore the collections of the Museum of Islamic Art, spanning some 1,400 years, via Google Arts and Culture and on the MIA website.
The museum also offers learning and engagement activities for children, families and adults on its social media platforms and website including MIA Storytime, games, puzzles, instructional art, video tours and colorful do-it-yourself art projects.
M7 – QATAR MUSEUMS' NEW HUB
M7 is offering a biweekly series of online coaching sessions by leaders in the fields of fashion and design, intended to guide and encourage aspiring Qatari designers.
Although the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the full inauguration of M7, these exclusive online coaching sessions (live each Thursday and Saturday on the M7 Instagram account, @M7.qatar) will provide ongoing inspiration and support.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR
Through Google Arts and Culture, explore the collections of the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). These include an array of archaeological and heritage objects, such as the renowned Pearl Carpet of Baroda, embroidered with more than 1.5 million of the highest quality Gulf pearls and adorned with emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires.
The NMoQ reshares the oral history project, "You Lived the Story" (#mystoryourmuseum) which was prepared for the official opening of the Museum last year.
Virtual visitors are invited to share a drawing of this architectural icon or any other QM museum and share their creations on social media using the hashtags #SketchatQM and #VisitQatar.
Each Monday, Qatar Museums will then post their choice of the best entries on their social media channels.
QATAR CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
The Qatar Children's Museum (QCM), currently under development by Qatar Museums, is hosting daily workshops in English and Arabic on its Instagram account (childrensmuseum.qa) that families can participate in using everyday materials found in their home.
The sessions invite families to incorporate playing and learning into their daily weekday routine and engage with the museum's staff who will be present to facilitate the sessions live.