Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani during opening of the exhibition.
Doha, Qatar: Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani opened the inaugural Artists Intensive Study Programme (AISP) exhibition at Fire Station, presenting works by 22 artists from Qatar and 14 countries worldwide in a major presentation of new and evolving contemporary artistic practices.
The exhibition, which opened yesterday and runs until February 6, 2027, marks the culmination of a nine-month programme dedicated to artistic research, experimentation, mentorship and creative development.
The exhibition also marks an important new chapter for Fire Station as the first to open under the newly named Fire Station - Centre for Contemporary Art Practices, signalling the institution’s development and evolving role in supporting emerging artists and nurturing Qatar’s contemporary art scene. Curated by Wael Shawky, Artistic Director of Fire Station, the exhibition features works spanning five galleries and the Plaza, offering visitors an opportunity to explore contemporary artistic practices across different disciplines.
The exhibition also marks a significant milestone for the institution, becoming the first to open under its new identity, Fire Station – Centre for Contemporary Art Practices.
The new designation reflects the institution’s evolving role in supporting emerging artists and strengthening Qatar’s contemporary art landscape, with greater emphasis on artistic research, critical dialogue and creative production.
As part of this transformation, Fire Station aims to expand opportunities for artists to develop their practices while engaging with fellow artists, mentors and audiences locally and internationally.
Commenting on the exhibition, Shawky praised the achievements of the participating artists and highlighted the importance of fostering cross-cultural collaboration and intellectual exchange.
“I am proud to celebrate the achievements of the inaugural edition of our Artists Intensive Study Programme, which has provided artists with an opportunity to strengthen their practices, exchange perspectives across cultures and explore new approaches to artistic expression,” he said.
Shawky added that the exhibition reflects the programme’s central mission of connecting emerging talents from diverse backgrounds with internationally recognised artists and practitioners.
“This exhibition reflects the programme’s core mission of bringing together emerging artists from diverse backgrounds with internationally recognised artists and practitioners, fostering an environment of critical dialogue, intellectual exchange and new perspectives on contemporary art,” he said.
