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Dear Colleagues
The recent social media campaign has come to my attention and the false
accusations it contains about the management of the QMA is disappointing.
Since the inception of QMA, one of our main objectives has been to instill
clear systems of transparency. As an entity that runs cultural
institutions, with a working programme that differs vastly from other
Government entities, we have requested a status change. I am pleased to
say that this has been approved by the new Government and we are currently
finalizing the transition of the QMA into a "private entity for public
good".
Why is this important?
It is important because our current governance forces us to work under
"exceptions". These include the necessity to hire staff into consultancy
positions and the ability to award a "single source" tender because
specialized services are not always available in more than one company,
working hours and more. With our transition there will be new policies
put in place to govern the organisation encompassing finance, human
resources, the tendering process, etc. This transition will also require
more individual accountability: employees of the QMA will be expected to
take more responsibility and I have no doubt you will all meet this
expectation. It will also mean that new contracts for all of our employees
will be drawn up setting clear individual goals. The Museum of Islamic
Art has already begun to implement some of these policies and we will
gradually apply them throughout the whole organization. As a "private
entity for public good" we will continue to be subject to audit by the
State Audit Bureau.
I also would like to address a personal issue that has been floating
around. I am not leaving the QMA. The QMA is an initiative that my
father, the former Emir began and which is strongly supported by our new
ruler H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The QMA has always worked
very closely with the Ministry of Culture and will continue to do so under
its new status and capacity. Our 10/10 strategy will be realigned with
our priorities and the details of this will be announced by our CEO, Ed
Dolman in the next few weeks.
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Ed Dolman is a universally respected leader who has worked in the arts for
more than 30 years. I have worked closely with him over the past few
months and have seen a major positive change in our organization. All his
staffing decisions have been made based on professional merit and have no
foundation in cultural divisiveness as suggested recently by a journalist
in the social media. Our Qatari to non-Qatari staff is a reflection of
the reality of our society. Experts and specialists are employed on the
basis of need; parallel to this we have over 60 scholars studying under
QMA scholarship -- studying subjects such as urban planning, architecture,
art history and fine arts.
Colleagues,
Freedom of the Press is an integral part of our community. People are
allowed to criticize and express their opinion and we will manage through
these criticisms as appropriate and continue to build on the excellent
work the QMA has done and of which you should all be proud. Disappointment
occurs when the information that is circulated is false - but truth always
conquers. Over the course of the next few weeks we will be opening
several new exhibitions and the National Museum is on target to be
completed as scheduled in 2015 .
My commitment to the development of leaders for our work continues and the
wellbeing and engagement of all staff, at all levels and from all walks of
life is paramount to our success. The best museums in the world are run by
international staff and the best people are employed on the basis of their
knowledge not of their nationality. Qatar and the QMA are a reflection of
this global reality.
You have my commitment and that of Ed Dolman, who agreed to step in as
acting CEO at my request, to continue to develop the QMA with the highest
level of professional business ethics and practices.
Thank you for your dedication and the valuable contributions you are all
making to the QMA's important mission. I look forward to engaging with
you in the forthcoming events.

Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani


29/08/2013

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