Doha, January 27 (QNA) - Media City Qatar has announced that it will host the Arts Destination program next month as part of a three-year partnership supporting emerging artists, ahead of the inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organization said the program would take place in February, positioning Media City Qatar as the official partner of Art Basel Qatar 2026. The initiative aims to support young artists, explore the intersection of art and media, and provide a competitive platform for artistic experimentation.
The program culminates each year with the winning artwork being showcased during Art Basel Qatar, whose first edition is scheduled to run from February 5 to 7, marking the fair's debut in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Arts Destination program, in collaboration with Art Basel Qatar, has invited graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar to submit multimedia works, including digital, physical or hybrid formats.
The selected artwork will be exhibited at the M7 creative hub in Msheireb Downtown Doha during the opening edition of Art Basel Qatar, offering local talent the opportunity to engage professionally with international cultural platforms.
Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary jury comprising representatives from Media City Qatar, Art Basel Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, and Qatar Museums. Evaluation criteria include conceptual strength, artistic innovation, media integration, sustainability and technical feasibility.
HE Chairman of Media City Qatar, Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Ali bin Saud Al-Thani, said the program reflects Qatar's commitment to fostering creativity with global impact, adding that sustained investment in talent, ideas and platforms enables local voices to take part in the international art dialogue.
Meanwhile, Media City Qatar's chief executive, Hamad Omar Al Mannai, said the initiative supports the development of a sustainable creative economy, contributing to economic diversification through art, media and innovation, while connecting emerging artists with leading global institutions.
Vincenzo de Bellis, artistic director and global head of fairs at Art Basel, described Art Basel Qatar as a significant step in the fair's global expansion, highlighting the importance of building long-term relationships with the creative community in Qatar and across the wider region.
Qatar Media City currently hosts more than 350 licensed companies, ranging from start-ups to major international firms, and continues to support emerging creative talent through training programs and workshops in partnership with universities, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)