Client:          Qatar Museums
Location:     Doha, Qatar
Timescale:   2017

The new National Museum of Qatar opened to the public in March 2019. The building was conceived by architects Ateliers Jean Nouvel and the stunning design takes its inspiration from the unusual crystalline structures found in the region’s deserts, known colloquially as ‘desert rose’. Such an indigenous source of inspiration is appropriate for a museum that draws together the rich diversity of Qatar’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, artefacts and oral history, digital display and cultural performance, and offers its visitors a unique opportunity to explore the story of Qatar from prehistoric times to the present day.

Cultural Innovations was contracted to assist with operational planning for the new institution, specifically defining senior management structure, departmental structures across all functional areas from Collections and Conservation to Learning and Digital Operations, and individual roles and resourcing at each staff level. Through consultation with Qatar Museum stakeholders and HR advisers, Cultural Innovations defined a bespoke staffing plan that enables the museum to fulfil its ambitious role as a custodian of Qatari heritage, an active research and collecting venue, and a digitally skilled and socially engaged institution.

The museum has 8000 m2 of permanent gallery space, 2000 m2 of temporary gallery space, a 220-seat auditorium, a TV studio, plus cafes, restaurant and shop. In addition, the museum houses staff facilities including a heritage research centre, conservation laboratories and collection processing and storage areas.