Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) participated in the International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference 2025, that took place in Dubai from 11th to 17th November, presenting a unified platform that highlights Sharjah’s arts and culture scene and its pioneering role in preserving and presenting history, heritage, the arts, and museum education.

A collaboration between Sharjah Museums Authority, the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the joint Sharjah stand embodied the spirit of collective cultural work that distinguishes the emirate. It presented an integrated model reflecting Sharjah’s cultural, artistic, and tourism presence locally and internationally, reinforcing its position as a global destination that blends authenticity with innovation.

At the ICOM Museum Fair held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Sharjah’s stand offered an immersive, multisensory experience under the theme “Authentic. Timeless. Rich.” The presentation expressed Sharjah’s cultural identity through a carefully curated design that showcased its museums, heritage landmarks, art spaces, and community initiatives. It highlighted Sharjah’s rich museum offerings and cultural diversity, reflecting its authentic Emirati spirit and its vision of connecting past and present through platforms that unite history, creativity, and knowledge.

Within the “Discover Sharjah” exhibition, inspired by the emirate’s deep connection to the sea and traditional life, visitors embarked on a sensory journey under the sounds of the Emirati sea chants, reflecting on Emirati artist Abdulqader Al Rais’s painting “Khorfakkan,” which captures the essence of maritime life and its role in trade and cultural exchange. The experience also enabled visitors to feel the texture of coral stones once used in building homes in old Sharjah, explore the aromas of herbs and spices that once traveled across the seas to traditional markets, and taste dates, symbolizing Emirati generosity and hospitality.

This rich museum experience embodies the depth of Sharjah’s heritage and the richness of its cultural legacy. The stand also highlighted pioneering cultural milestones that shaped Sharjah’s cultural landscape and set new benchmarks in the region. These include the establishment of museums that were the first of their kind in the UAE, the region, or the world—such as the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, the country’s first museum dedicated to archaeology; the Sharjah Art Museum, the first and largest art museum in the Gulf region; and the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, the first ever museum entirely dedicated to Arabic calligraphy. Milestones also included major cultural events such as the Sharjah Biennial, one of the region’s largest and most influential contemporary art events promoting cultural exchange across the Global South.

The stand further presented the ten-year journey of the award-winning SAWA Museum Studies Program, which offers training and professional development for emerging and established museum practitioners. Visitors also learned about Sharjah’s commitment to preserving, restoring and repurposing historic buildings and old homes and transforming them into museums and valuable exhibition spaces. The presentation underscored the vital role of the emirate’s museums and art centres as spaces for learning, creativity, and dialogue, deeply rooted within the community.

Through this participation, Sharjah further reinforces its role as a global destination for arts, culture, and heritage, aligning with the emirate’s long- standing recognition as Cultural Capital of the Arab World, Islamic Culture Capital, and World Book Capital. As part of the conference’s accompanying programme, Sharjah Museums Authority hosted several ICOM international committee meetings on 15 November at several of its museums.

The sessions addressed specialized museum topics with SMA representatives presenting their experiences in leadership, community engagement, awareness initiatives, youth empowerment, collections care, documentation and risk management, intangible heritage at the Sharjah Heritage Museum, the evolution of art in Sharjah, and acquisition practices at the Sharjah Art Museum. The programme also included networking and guided tours at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Art Museum, and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, aimed at highlighting key collections and the museums commitment to preserving heritage, fostering cultural dialogue and exchange.

The Authority, in collaboration with the Sharjah Art Foundation, organized a special cultural programme for conference delegates including two curated tours. The first tour, “Be at the Heart of Sharjah”, included visits to prominent heritage landmarks such as Sharjah Fort, Bait Al Naboodah, and the Sharjah Heritage Museum, complemented by Emirati hospitality and live demonstrations. The second tour, “Sharjah Curated: The Art Trail”, offered an evening journey through the emirate’s art scene, including the Sharjah Art Museum, the Barjeel Art Foundation exhibition, and Mureijah Square.

Furthermore, the Sharjah Museums Authority has announced extended opening hours for all its museums from 3 to 24 November, opening daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM and on Fridays from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, allowing both residents and visitors to enjoy the emirate’s rich museum offerings at their convenience. 

 

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