Qatar Museums (QM), the country’s leading institution promoting cultural initiatives, has appointed internationally renowned Egyptian artist Wael Shawky as the first artistic director of the creative hub Fire Station: Artist in Residence. Shawky will oversee the institution’s programme, which to date has promoted the work of nearly one hundred emerging Qatari artists.
Fire Station is a world-class art residency programme for Qatari residents, designed to promote and nurture the country’s artistic and creative community and enrich the art scene in Qatar. Established in 2015 and located in a fire station repurposed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, the location offers a nine-month programme for creatives of all disciplines, allowing young artists to nurture their talent through production support, curatorial advice and mentorship from experienced artists. Over the past six years, the programme has welcomed 92 artists and extended its duration to include a three-month period abroad, to be spent at the Cité Internationale des Art in Paris and Studio 209 NY in New York City.
Wael Shawky, who plans to transform the Fire Station into a platform for educational programmes from September 2025, said: ‘There is no separation in my mind between pursuing my art practice and promoting the next generation of Arab artists. We live in a time that urgently requires creativity in both spheres. This is why I founded MASS Alexandria, my independent, not-for-profit art school in Egypt, and why I was so excited about Fire Station: Qatar’s Artist in Residence, following its work from the early days and seeing its remarkable impact on artists and their audiences.”
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President of Qatar Museums, said: “Wael Shawky is widely admired as one of the most exciting artists on the international scene today, as well as a scholar and educator with a deep commitment to nurturing the younger generation. In his new position as artistic director, he will build on the current success of Fire Station: Artist in Residence and help take the institution to the next level, contributing significantly to Qatar Museums’ work in fostering talent and developing the creative industries here and throughout our region.”
