# Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art — Doha, Qatar

> Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art opened in 2010 in Doha's Education City, housed in a former school building redesigned by French architect Jean-François Bodin. It holds the world's largest specialised collection of modern and contemporary Arab art.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Friday: 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Admission: ✓ Free standard admission
- Address: Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://www.mathaf.org.qa/en
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- The Snake Charmer — Mahmoud Mokhtar · 1929
- Composition — Fahrelnissa Zeid · 1947
- Jamal al-Mahamel (The Camel of Burdens) — Suleiman Mansour · 1973
- The Funeral — Kadhim Hayder · 1965

## FAQ
**Is admission free?**
Yes, entry to Mathaf is free.

**Where is Education City?**
It is the international university campus in west Doha; reachable by metro and bus.

**How long should I spend at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art best known for?**
Mathaf opened in 2010 in a refurbished former school in Education City. Its collection began with the personal acquisitions of Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani. Key highlights include Arab modernist collection, Permanent display of regional pioneers, Project Space contemporary commissions.

**How do I get tickets for Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art?**
✓ Free standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.mathaf.org.qa/en

**How does Mathaf differ from the Museum of Islamic Art?**
MIA focuses on historical Islamic art and design. Mathaf specialises in modern and contemporary art by Arab artists from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

**Is the collection mostly from Qatar?**
No — the collection spans the entire Arab world, from Morocco and Sudan to Iraq and Syria, assembled over decades by Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani.

**Is it worth the trip from central Doha?**
Yes for anyone interested in modern art beyond the Western canon. The metro makes Education City accessible, and Mathaf offers a perspective found nowhere else.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/mathaf-arab-museum-of-modern-art/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.