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Private & Member Events

The “Transcendent Text: Exploring Universal Values Through Islamic Calligraphy” exhibition concluded with an intimate reception on July 15th hosted by Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN). Speakers included Fatima Al-Dosari, Executive Director at QAIC; Fatema Al-Baker, Second Secretary and the Public Diplomacy Counselor at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC; and Sarah Whitson, Executive Director at DAWN. The 25 guests in attendance represented DC’s diverse landscape, including leaders from esteemed think tanks, ambassadors, and directors of cultural institutions.

On September 30, we celebrated the opening reception for the physical exhibition of “Women of the Pandemic.” The reception featured remarks by Fatima Al-Dosari, Executive Director at QAIC; Peggy Loar, Chair of QAIC’s Board of Directors; and Dr. Khalid Al-Sulaiti from the Katara Cultural Village in Qatar. Following the remarks, several of the featured artists physically and virtually in attendance continued their cross-cultural dialogue and reflections in a conversation moderated by QAIC Board Member Sandra Wilkins. Nearly 40 guests attended this invitation-only affair, taking advantage of the first look of the galleries, and engaging in dialogue directly with the artists.

Our final exhibition reception of the year was held on December 16 as QAIC and the Years of Culture team convened to celebrate the double opening of the “Cultural Fusion” and “Light & Shadow” exhibitions. The event also recognized the launch of Qatar Foundation’s initiative, Alif Ba, which also premiered at the National Children’s Museum that month. The event was attended by approximately 110 guests from both the U.S. and Qatar, and featured remarks by QAIC Executive Director, Fatima Al-Dosari; Qatar Museums Director of Diplomacy, Aisha Al Attiya; and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the State of Qatar, Dr. Hamad Al Muftah.

Attendees of the Transcendent Text reception held at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), speaks on the notion of human rights in Islam and their relevance in contemporary society.

Special guests attend the reception for the double opening of the “Cultural Fusion” and “Light & Shadow” exhibitions.

Community

Community is at the heart of QAIC’s mission. We strive to engage with the community members both near and far, and connect creatives and institutions to each other in the pursuit of greater cultural understanding.

Art of Athletics Festival

Players from the Washington Spirit soccer team joined QAIC to discuss their thoughts on the arts and the unique way it can intersect with sports.

Like many avenues in society, sports and the creative arts are considered to be a universal language where communities can connect, collaborate and form new bonds. The Art of Athletics Festival aimed to provide a platform where creatives and athletes could explore and discuss the important role of sports in shaping culture and building community and the infusion of arts and creativity within sports itself as an essential means for holistic development, self-expression, cultural exchange, and social impact.

On February 9, 2021, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) hosted its inaugural The Art of Athletics Festival, a virtual event celebrating the intersection of creativity and athleticism with a focus to highlight the launch of the Arab Film House program and awards, a joint initiative between QAIC and the Doha Film Institute (DFI). The Art of the Athletics was a unique collaborative effort between QAIC and partners from both Qatar and the United States, such as the Doha Film Institute, international composer Dana Al-Fardan, ConocoPhillips, America SCORES, and the Washington Spirit team.

The festival brought together creatives and athletes to explore and discuss the important role of sports in shaping culture and building community, and how integrating the arts within it serves as a means for holistic development, self-expression, cultural exchange, and social impact.

The final segment of the festival featured a panel discussion overseen by Qatari composer and songwriter Dana Al Fardan. She spoke with filmmaker Michael Holstein, American SCORES coach Shanell Sharpe and five members of the Washington Spirit soccer team: Dorian Bailey, Aubrey Bledsoe, Tori Huster, Paige Nielsen, and Sam Staab. The Washington Spirit team members had traveled to Doha as part of a cultural exchange that previewed the Qatar-US 2021 Year of Culture.

QAIC Cares

QAIC CARES is a humanitarian initiative to address and support peace-building efforts in some of the world’s most in-need regions. In order to achieve QAIC’s mission of fostering the arts and improve cross-cultural understanding, societies around the world must be dedicated to eliminating human suffering and protect cultural heritage. Societies within the Arab & Islamic worlds have not only had to suffer from conflict and a lack of resources, but also from a devastating deficit of the Arts.

As a result of the devastating September 2021 humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, we launched QAIC CARES with our goal to support other partners in providing aid to people through established international humanitarian organizations to domestic American charitable organizations. With the support of our partners, we aim to sustain QAIC CARES and its heartfelt efforts to continue the protection of our peaceful and inclusive societies.

Arab Film House

Last year we celebrated the launch of our Arab Film House (AFH). Tucked inside QAIC, AFH is an intimate screening room that aims to provide a cultural platform and meeting ground for those interested in both the history and the future of film and cinema from the Arab and Islamic worlds. Our goal for AFH is to amplify the unique and diverse voices from both within and outside of the United States through the unique medium of cinema.

Several AFH program activities were held in 2021. In collaboration with the Doha Film Institute (DFI), QAIC screened a selection of “Made in Qatar” short films during our IMPART film festival weekend. QAIC and DFI also partnered to launch the first Arab Film House award to filmmaker Naziha Arebi, director of Freedom Fields, which was also screened during the 2021 IMPART Summit weekend.

We closed out the year of AFH programming with a private reception and special premiere screening of the documentary “HER” marking the first time the film was screened in the U.S. In partnership with the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC, and the Georgetown Institure for Women, Peace, and Security, this special event recognized the many women leaders making a positive impact in the world.

QAIC Library & Literature Activities

In summer 2021, QAIC launched its own in-house library, complete with a “Curiosity Corner” for our youngest visitors. The library, comprised of books about Doha, the Middle East, and numerous artistic and cultural traditions, stands as a resource to our staff, members, and the visiting public. In addition to our phyical library space, we collaborated with local DC partner, Middle East Bookstore & More, in providing our monthly newsletter readers recommendations for art and culture books every month.

In 1966, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) marked September 8th as International Literacy Day to raise awareness and concern for literacy problems that exist within our own local communities, as well as globally. According to UNESCO, this day reminds us of “the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights. “In honor of that same sentiment, QAIC partnered with the Qatar National Library to highlight the institution and its vital work to make literature accessible to all. As Qatar’s preeminent literary institution, Qatar National Library promotes literacy not only by preserving historic texts, but also through educational events, public outreach, and digitization efforts.

QAIC was excited to establish its “Little Library” outside of its office where passersby could take or leave books or artworks.

Visitors to QAIC take a break in the QAIC Library which offers a selection of literature from the Arab and Islamic worlds in addition to the “Curiosity Corner” available for the younger readers.”