Qatar Museums announces open call for local creatives to join Al Najadah creative cluster

Qatar Museums has announced an open call inviting local, regional and international creatives to apply to join Al Najadah, the heart of New Crafts in Doha. The initiative encompasses Qatar Museums’ aim to both preserve and document Qatar’s heritage and provide a platform to nurture and inspire local creative talent.

Al Najadah is a production-oriented and inclusive creative cluster hosting a multidisciplinary community of emerging and established creatives focussed on Qatar’s burgeoning New Crafts: Contemporary Heritage, Culinary Arts and Digital Experiences.

New Crafts under Contemporary Heritage include weaving, jewellery design, ceramics, pottery, scent making, glass making and fashion and textiles. Culinary arts’ include roastery, micro gardening, Qatar grown '0 km' food, tableware and packaging design. Digital experiences include video production, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), digital arts, Web3 and the metaverse.

Abdullatif Al-Jasmi, Director of Cultural Heritage Protection, Qatar Museums, said: “In recent years, Qatar Museums has taken on the mission to revive Doha’s heritage districts while also nurturing local talent. Qatar Museums is delighted to announce an open call for Al Najadah, inviting local creatives who are involved in new crafts to apply to be a part of this exciting new creative cluster in the heart of Doha’s historic centre.”

The open call aims to seek out community members, partners and collaborators to bring to life Al Najadah through the creation of an inclusive and diverse community. To achieve this goal, Al Najadah will offer an environment for collaboration and research between traditional artisans and contemporary artists, designers, and makers — all for the purpose of knowledge and cultural exchange. Al Najadah facilitates the production of beautifully designed local goods and the internationalisation of local brands.

Al Najadah is one of Doha's few remaining neighborhoods still featuring traditional architecture while retaining its original historical structure. The creative cluster consists of 17 homes that were once owned by modest Qatari households before later being occupied by artisans selling traditional goods and produce.

Visit alnajadah.qa to apply to become a community member or partner of Al Najadah, or to rent a pop-up space. Applications for the Al Najadah open call close on Wednesday, 31 August 2022.

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