CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The recently inaugurated Cultural Development Center (CDC) plays a vital role in safeguarding and promoting the nation's heritage. It is also developing cultural programes that will contribute towards Qatar's progress to become an advanced, knowledge-based society.
The Center is responsible for the management and development of two collections of national importance held by Qatar Foundation - the Arab and Islamic Heritage Library and the Museum of Modern Arab Art. Both facilities are based on extensive collections originally compiled by H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Muhammad Al-Thani.
CDC plans to deliver a wide range of new facilities, professional services, and programmes of cultural activities, special events and exhibitions.
Museum of Modern Arab Art
The Museum of Modern Arab Art has a diverse collection of more than 6,000 artifacts that will be housed in a specially designed building close to Education City, scheduled to open in 2012. Its mission is to promote public awareness and appreciation of modern and contemporary art that is from, or inspired by, the Middle East and the Arab world. The Museum will collect, document, conserve, exhibit and research artwork of historical and cultural significance to the region. It will also provide memorable and inspirational visits for the public.
The Arab and Islamic Heritage Library
The rare collections of the Heritage Library exhibit the depth and wealth of the Arab and Islamic civilizations, and demonstrate the extensive contribution of Arab and Muslim scientists, thinkers and pioneers to our global intellectual heritage. The Library's main divisions are an Arabic section, comprising around 75,000 manuscripts, books, periodicals and newspapers, and a foreign section with around 25,000 books, periodicals and maps that demonstrate the interest of European Orientalists in the Arab and Islamic Heritage. The Heritage Library will occupy a specially designed space within the new Central Library of Education City.