DOHA: Dr Abdellah Karroum (pictured) – a curator, researcher and independent artistic director – will be the new director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art starting next month, Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) announced yesterday.
He will provide curatorial and managerial leadership and supervise the museum’s daily operations.
He will also oversee the planning and activities of the museum, including collection conservation, education and public programmes, research and library, and communications and publishing. Mathaf’s programme of exhibitions and events explores and celebrates art by Arab artists and offers an Arab perspective on international modern and contemporary art.
“QMA is happy to welcome Abdellah Karroum as the new Director of Mathaf,” said Edward Dolman, QMA Executive Director and Acting CEO.
“Abdellah brings to Mathaf more than 20 years of experience in the art sector organising and co-curating numerous international exhibitions and programmes for various institutions around the world. We are looking forward to working closely with Abdellah in further developing the Museum and establishing Mathaf as a vibrant centre for the promotion and understanding of contemporary art in the local and international context.”
“I am excited to work with the Mathaf team. My ambition is to make Mathaf a place of learning for our team and the public. My plan for Mathaf includes international standards for conservation and exhibitions, scholarly research and publications, and the creation of a new strategic department led by Michelle Dezember, continuing the Museum’s international programme and special projects,” said Karroum.
Born in Morocco in 1970, Abdellah Karroum is an independent artistic director. Most recently, he was associate curator of the 2012 Triennial at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and curator of the 2012 Benin Biennial. In 2012, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Foundation Prince Pierre de Monaco’s International Prize for Contemporary Art.
The Peninsula
