Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Name	Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Title	Chairperson of Qatar Museums
Birth date	1983
Birth place	Doha, Qatar
Spouse	Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani
Education	Duke University (BA), Columbia University (MA)
Parents	Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Moza bint Nasser
Relatives	Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (brother)

Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is a prominent Qatari public figure and cultural leader who serves as the Chairperson of Qatar Museums. A daughter of the former Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Moza bint Nasser, she has been instrumental in transforming Doha into a major global hub for arts and culture. Through her leadership, she has overseen the development of major institutions like the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, while also orchestrating some of the most significant art acquisitions of the 21st century.

Early life and education

Born in Doha in 1983, she is a member of the ruling Al Thani family. She attended secondary school at the Qatar Academy before pursuing higher education in the United States. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Literature from Duke University in North Carolina. Following her undergraduate studies, she completed a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies from Columbia University in New York City, which provided a foundational expertise for her future cultural endeavors.

Career and cultural leadership

Appointed as the Chairperson of Qatar Museums in 2006, she has been the driving force behind Qatar's ambitious national cultural strategy. Her vision extends beyond museum management to positioning the nation as a center for international dialogue, often through partnerships with global institutions like UNESCO and the British Museum. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Doha Film Institute, which organizes the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival and supports film production across the Arab world.

Role in Qatar Museums

As Chairperson, she has presided over the launch and operation of Qatar's flagship cultural institutions. This includes the opening of the Museum of Islamic Art, designed by architect I. M. Pei, and the National Museum of Qatar, designed by Jean Nouvel. Her oversight also encompasses the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and future projects like the planned Art Mill and Qatar Auto Museum. Under her direction, Qatar Museums has established a year-round program of major exhibitions, often featuring works from collections like the Musée du Louvre and the State Hermitage Museum.

Art acquisitions and collection development

She has gained international recognition for authorizing a series of record-breaking art purchases, fundamentally building Qatar's national collections. Notable acquisitions include Paul Cézanne's *The Card Players* for a reported $250 million, Paul Gauguin's *When Will You Marry?*, and Mark Rothko's *White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)*. The collection also features major works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Francis Bacon, alongside significant holdings of Islamic art and artifacts from ancient civilizations across Asia and Africa.

Philanthropy and other initiatives

Beyond museums, she is involved in numerous philanthropic and educational efforts. She is a founding member of the Silatech initiative, which aims to create job opportunities for young people in the Middle East and North Africa. Through the Doha Film Institute, she supports educational programs and funding for filmmakers. She also plays a key role in cultural diplomacy efforts, such as Qatar's participation in the Venice Biennale and collaborations with the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Personal life

She is married to Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, a businessman and member of the Al Thani family. The couple has four children. Her brother is the current Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. She maintains a relatively private life but is occasionally featured in international publications such as Forbes and TIME, which have listed her among the world's most influential people in art.

Category:Qatari art collectors Category:Qatari royalty Category:1983 births Category:Living people