Qatar Museums (QM) has recently announced permanent changes to the opening hours of its key cultural institutions in Doha, Qatar. These changes, which will be effective from July 1, 2024, include extended opening hours every Thursday and a one-day closure per week. The goal of these modifications is to enhance public access, promote evening programming, and ensure the optimal care and maintenance of the collections housed in these museums.
The museums that will implement these new changes are the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM), and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. These institutions offer a diverse arts and cultural experience to citizens, residents, and visitors of Qatar, including permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, and public programming.
In addition to the extended hours, the one-day closure per week will be utilized for conducting essential maintenance work, staff training, and the installation of new exhibits. These rest days are essential for preserving the quality and integrity of the collections, as well as preparing new and engaging experiences for the public. The regular holiday closures of these museums will remain unchanged, with closure on the first day of Eid Al Fitr and the first day of Eid Al Adha to allow staff to celebrate these important holidays.
Following the first day of Eid Al Fitr and the first day of Eid Al Adha, the museums will remain open for the duration of the holiday period, as per the announcement by the Amiri Diwan. If a museum’s regular closure day coincides with an Eid holiday, the museum will remain open to align with the public holiday period. The new official opening hours for each museum have been detailed, providing ample opportunities for visitors to explore their offerings.
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) will open from Sunday to Saturday with varying hours, including extended hours on Thursdays. The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) will also have extended hours on Thursdays, with a one-day closure on Wednesdays. The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art will follow similar schedules with extended hours on Thursdays and a one-day closure per week.
These changes to the opening hours of Qatar’s key cultural institutions reflect a commitment to providing enhanced access to arts and cultural offerings, while also ensuring the highest standards of care and maintenance for the collections housed in these museums. By promoting evening programming and allowing for essential maintenance work, these changes aim to enrich the overall visitor experience and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of Qatar.
