Doha, July 24 (QNA) - The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, in collaboration with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, has announced the launch of the inaugural edition of the "Olympic Heritage | Artist Residency" program for 2025.

The program offers two artists the opportunity to participate in a two-month residency: one at Fire Station: Artist in Residence in Doha, and the other at La Becque Artist Residency in Lausanne. Running from October 1 to December 1, 2025, the residency will culminate in the presentation of the artists' digital works during the Cultural Olympiad at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

As part of the initiative, the international jury selected digital sculptor Raven Shaliga de Clark to join the residency in Doha, where she will work from a studio space at the Fire Station for two months. Simultaneously, Alioune Thiam, a multidisciplinary artist from Senegal, will take up residence at La Becque in Lausanne for the same duration. Both artists will benefit from mentorship by members of the international jury and will have access to the respective host museums' collections, archives, and Olympic and sports-related narratives.

In remarks, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Abdullah Yousuf Al Mulla highlighted the importance of such residencies in bridging the creative power of digital art with the historical and cultural legacy of the Olympic Games. He expressed pride in collaborating with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne on this significant initiative, which he described as a unique and valuable opportunity for emerging artists. Al Mulla also encouraged artists to apply for future open calls, noting that the program will be held annually through to the 2028 Olympics.

Yasmin Meichtry, Deputy Director at the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage and Chair of the Selection Committee, emphasized the museum's ongoing commitment to preserving the rich heritage of the Olympic Movement while embracing innovation to keep it relevant to contemporary audiences. She stated that this program embodies that vision, celebrating the past through the lens of young digital artists.

Regarding the selection, the jury chose Raven Shaliga de Clark, a 29-year-old artist from London whose work explores themes of race, representation, and digital hybridity in contemporary art. Alioune Thiam, 32, from Senegal, creates immersive visual and auditory experiences that examine the impact of digital technology on Senegalese and African cultures. The two were selected from a pool of applicants representing 20 nationalities across six continents.

The announcement also coincides with key milestones in Qatar's cultural landscape: Qatar Museums is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, while the National Museum of Qatar marks its 50th year. These anniversaries are part of the 18-month "Nation of Progress" campaign, which highlights Qatar's cultural journey from the founding of its national museum to the vibrant network of institutions it proudly represents today. (QNA)