Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi on art: Bedouins a l'Atelier by Omar Onsi and the role of museums in the Gulf

A 1934 painting by Lebanese artist Omar Onsi depicts a woman, perhaps a mother, resting her hands on a young boy’s shoulders before a set of artworks. The barefooted boy, about nine or 10, wears a jacket and traditional Arab headdress. He stares – curious, perhaps – at a canvas, of which only the left side is visible to us.

Are they visitors to the studio or sitters summoned by the artist? Regardless, warmth radiates between them. One imagines the mother asking her son what he sees, or the boy turning to her with a question of his own.

When was the last time you visited a museum with a loved one or by yourself? Various studies estimate that only between five and 20 per cent of people visit museums solo, underscoring that exhibitions are most often shared experiences.

Growing up in the UAE of the 1980s, museums were rare. But by 2025, the landscape has transformed. Next month, Dubai will host the first-ever meeting of the International Council of Museums in the Arab world, drawing thousands of experts to the city for 10 days of debate and exchange. But what is the role of museums in our region? Are they static exhibition spaces? Or living, adaptive entities shaped by their environment and audiences?

Institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi have put the Middle East's museums firmly on the world map. Antonie Robertson / The National

Museums have deep roots in some regional cities – Cairo’s Museum of Islamic Art opened in 1903. Yet in recent decades, institutions have also suffered damage or looting, from the Iraq National Museum and the National Museum of Sudan to Gaza’s collections under bombardment. At the same time, Arab states have invested heavily: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, the reopened Iraqi and Beirut National Museums, and the much-anticipated full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum next month.

Last year, Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.4 million visitors and Saudi Arabia’s Ithra 1.2 million. Even partially open, the Grand Egyptian Museum already attracts more than 4,000 visitors daily. Still, these efforts will only reach their potential if locals – not only tourists – make museums part of their lives.

Encountering a local artist’s work or a cultural artefact is never a solitary act; it anchors identity, nurtures belonging and fosters a more informed, proud citizenry. It also helps residents understand the histories of the places they call home, forging bonds across generations.

Bedouins a l’Atelier (1934) by Omar Onsi. Photo: May Mansour El Onsi

As Onsi’s painting suggests, museums ignite curiosity – a trait essential to childhood and just as vital in adulthood. Visits should not be confined to school trips, but woven into everyday life. For their part, museums must continue to evolve – better storytelling, interactive quizzes, competitions and active social media strategies all strengthen engagement.

Research suggests Gulf citizens are more inclined to visit museums abroad than at home. A 2022 Visit Britain survey found that three of the top 10 reasons Gulf travellers visit the UK are cultural – including a trip to museums and galleries, which ranked fifth.

But are we as eager to explore our own institutions? Next time you plan to meet a friend, instead of suggesting a cafe, consider Louvre Abu Dhabi, the top floor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library or the Sharjah Art Museum. Such settings enrich conversation visually, mentally and culturally, while supporting the cultural ecosystem and helping it grow beyond the annual pilgrimage.