About Evolution Nation / Voices Podcast - Qatar Creates x afikra
Step inside the dynamic and evolving cultural landscape of Qatar with the Qatar Creates Podcast Powered by afikra. Part of Qatar Museums’ “Evolution Nation” anniversary campaign, this podcast series explores the institutions, exhibitions, and initiatives shaping the country’s cultural ecosystem. Across the series, we go behind the scenes of Qatar’s museums and cultural platforms, from landmark exhibitions to major public art and creative programs. Join us as we speak with curators, cultural leaders, and key figures driving modern and contemporary practice, and discover the projects that are fostering cultural exchange and community building. Each episode offers an in-depth look at how Qatar’s museums preserve heritage while actively shaping contemporary cultural dialogue.
A Decade of Artistic Experimentation and Exchange | Wael Shawky
Artistic creation thrives in the space between historical research and the deliberate pursuit of ignorance. Artist Wael Shawky and the Artistic Director of Fire Station, explores how systemic education and institutional structures shape contemporary practice within the Arab world. This discussion highlights the transition of the Fire Station from a residency into a non-profit educational platform for regional talent. True professional growth for emerging artists requires a delicate balance of individual talent, critical mentorship, and accessible career channels.
9 Sept 2026
The Role of Museums in Shaping Cultural Identity | Shaika Al-Nassr & Dr. Mounia Chekhab Abudaya
The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha serves as a vital bridge between historical intellectual excellence and modern cultural dialogue. This discussion with Shaika Al-Nassr & Dr. Mounia Chekhab Abudaya explores the institution's multifaceted role in re-owning regional narratives and challenging global stereotypes through immersive storytelling and collaborative curation. By transforming from a traditional museum into a dynamic cultural space, MIA fosters global connections while deepening the local understanding of Islamic heritage.
5 Aug 2026
Preserving Heritage in a Rapidly Changing Nation | Abdullatif Mohammed Al Jasmi
Preserving the past is less about shielding static artifacts and more about negotiating what remains meaningful for a collective future. This dialogue, featuring Abdullatif Mohammed Al Jasmi, the director of Cultural Heritage Protection at Qatar Museums, explores how Qatar manages heritage as an unfolding narrative that intersects regional experiences with global memory. Every curated trail and repurposed building serves as a vital link, ensuring that significance is not lost to time but integrated into the fabric of a flourishing nation. By moving beyond mere protection toward the adaptive reuse of spaces, authentic stories are permitted to evolve alongside the communities that inhabit them.
8 Jul 2026
The Mathaf Legacy: Celebrating Modern & Contemporary Arab Art | Zeina Arida
We explore Mathaf’s role in shaping the narrative of modern and contemporary Arab art over the past 15 years with Zeina Arida, the director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art at Qatar Museums. Zeina reflects on the evolution of the museum’s collection, the thinking behind acquisitions and exhibitions, and how archival practices inform the way complex art histories are presented today. She also discusses Mathaf’s upcoming expansion, its support of artists across generations, and its position within both Qatar’s cultural ecosystem and the international museum landscape. Join us in this episode of Qatar Create’s Evolution Nation podcast to get a closer look at how Mathaf continues to steward Arab modern art while shaping its future.
8 Jun 2026
Qatar on the Global Art Stage | Sheikha Reem Al Thani
We explore how Qatar operates on the international art stage through exhibitions, public art, and global cultural platforms in the inaugural episode of Qatar Creates’ new podcast series Evolution Nation, powered by afikra. Our first guest, Sheikha Reem Al Thani, who is Deputy CEO of Al Riwaq, public art and Rubaiya Qatar at Qatar museums, reflects on the strategic thinking behind major international exhibitions, the role of flexible spaces like Al Riwaq, and how public art shapes everyday cultural engagement. She also discusses long-term models such as the Rubaiya Qatar quadrennial, global collaborations, and the balance between spectacle, research, and meaningful cultural exchange. Join us as we take a closer look at how Qatar’s cultural institutions translate vision into action on the global stage.
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