Doha, September 24 /QNA/ – Qatar Museums announced today the launch of the “Nation of Evolution” campaign, which features a wide array of exhibitions and events set to open on October 23 as part of the autumn season.

“Nation of Evolution” celebrates fifty years of Qatar Museums’ cultural journey, beginning with the establishment of the Qatar National Museum in 1975. Running for 18 months, the campaign will showcase key milestones in the museums’ history as well as their future aspirations.

On this occasion, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani stated: “Over the past half century, arts and culture in Qatar have been a source of pride and unity, and a means of connecting with the peoples of the world in a spirit of openness and understanding. At Qatar Museums, we are delighted to celebrate this autumn the creative energy that has made Qatar a true nation of evolution.”

The autumn season program at Qatar Museums will feature a variety of exhibitions, including:

• “Legacy of a Nation, Memory of a People: Narrated Over Fifty Years” at the National Museum of Qatar, from October 24, 2025 to January 31, 2026, chronicling the museum’s story since its opening in the historic palace as the first institution of its kind in the Gulf.
• “Countryside: A Place to Live… Not to Abandon”, highlighting an international research project led by architects Rem Koolhaas and Samir Bantal, exploring the future of rural life in selected regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The exhibition will be held at both the National Museum of Qatar and Qatar Preparatory School, in collaboration with Qatar Fund for Development, from October 29, 2025 to April 29, 2026.
• “I. M. Pei: Life in Architecture” at QM Gallery Al Riwaq, from October 30, 2025 to February 14, 2026. Organized by M+, Hong Kong’s museum of visual culture, in collaboration with Qatar Museums, this is the first comprehensive retrospective of the renowned Chinese-American architect (1917–2019). It will feature original drawings, plans, models, and rare archival materials that celebrate Pei’s life and legacy.

During the same period (October 30, 2025 to February 14, 2026), the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the future Flour Mills Art Museum will jointly present “I. M. Pei and the Design of the Museum of Islamic Art: From the Square to the Octagon, and from the Octagon to the Circle.” This exhibition will focus on Pei’s design principles for the museum and the inspiration he drew from the unique heritage of Islamic architecture. Both exhibitions form part of the “Years of Culture” initiative, highlighting Pei’s vision and recognizing MIA as a symbol of cultural exchange between Qatar and the world.

• Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art will celebrate its 15th anniversary as a pioneer in showcasing modern and contemporary Arab art. To mark the occasion, several exhibitions will be held, including “Aspirations: 15 Years of Mathaf” (October 31, 2025 – August 8, 2026), a re-presentation of the museum’s unique collection. In addition, the group exhibition “We Refuse – We Refused” (October 31, 2025 – February 9, 2026) will feature works by fifteen artists exploring themes of resistance, endurance, artistic freedom, and solidarity.
• M7, Doha’s center for innovation, fashion, and design (opened in 2021 in a building designed by John McAslan + Partners), will present from October 27, 2025 to January 3, 2026 a series of exhibitions, including “Fashion Trust Arabia: Threads of Impact”, celebrating the 7th anniversary of the initiative and its influence on reshaping the regional fashion scene.

M7 will also host:

• “Houbara’s Haven Tiara” by Chaumet (October 27, 2025 – January 17, 2026), a specially commissioned luxury piece by Alfardan Jewellery, crafted by the Parisian maison following the success of the 2024 exhibition “Chaumet and Nature.”
• “Art in Amazigh Hair Heritage” (October 27, 2025 – January 12, 2026), exploring the cultural significance of traditional Moroccan Amazigh hairstyles.

It is worth noting that Qatar Museums was established in 2005 and currently oversees eight museums, in addition to galleries, public art installations, creative centers, cultural economy incubators, and heritage sites. Through these platforms, Qatar Museums continues to pursue its mission of preserving heritage, embodying contemporary art and ideas, and fostering creativity in Qatar and the wider region.