Qatar is adding a major new pillar to its cultural calendar: Rubaiya Qatar, a nationwide visual arts quadrennial developed under Qatar Museums and ALRIWAQ, set to open in November 2026 and run through spring 2027.

If you cover the Middle East art ecosystem, or you are an artist, gallery, curator, or collector planning your 2026 calendar, this is one of the announcements you should not miss.

Rubaiya Qatar at a glance

• Format: International visual arts quadrennial (not a commercial art fair)

• First edition headline exhibition: Unruly Waters

• Timing: November 2026 to spring 2027

• Where: Multiple sites across Qatar, including ALRIWAQ next to the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha

• Curatorial team (Unruly Waters): Tom Eccles, Ruba Katrib, Mark Rappolt, Shabbir Hussain Mustafa

What exactly is Rubaiya Qatar?

Rubaiya Qatar has been announced by Qatar Museums as a new recurring platform for contemporary visual culture, structured as a quadrennial with a wide program that can include exhibitions, commissions, public art, and community driven initiatives.

You will also see the spelling Rubaiyat Qatar in at least one official Qatar Museums listing (for an open call), so both terms may appear in searches and program pages.

Where it will happen: Doha, plus multiple sites across Qatar

The inaugural edition is planned to unfold across a network of venues, with ALRIWAQ positioned as a key location. Multiple outlets note ALRIWAQ’s recent renovation by OMA and its proximity to the Museum of Islamic Art, which anchors the wider waterfront cultural zone in Doha.

The headline exhibition: Unruly Waters

The first edition is headlined by Unruly Waters, a group exhibition curated by an international team spanning major institutions and editorial leadership.

According to reporting, the exhibition’s framing links water, climate, movement, and global connection, with one reference noting the title’s connection to historian Sunil Amrith’s research into ecological histories and migration.

The pre launch signal: Rirkrit Tiravanija at MIA Park

Rubaiya Qatar is already building visibility through pre launch programming. Qatar Museums has presented Rirkrit Tiravanija’s untitled 2025 (no bread no ashes) at MIA Park, positioning it as an early activation tied to the quadrennial.

Official and media coverage describes it as a participatory public artwork centered on baking and sharing bread as a social gesture.

Is Rubaiya Qatar an art fair?

No. Based on the official framing and the coverage so far, Rubaiya Qatar is not a booth based selling fair. It is a curated quadrennial exhibition platform.

That said, it lands inside a broader moment of expansion for Qatar’s cultural programming, so it will likely attract international visitors who also track the market side of the region.

Why this matters for artists, galleries, and organizers

• For artists: It signals more pathways beyond the traditional gallery booth model, via commissions, institutional programming, and public art formats.

• For galleries and collectors: Even without being a selling fair, large scale curated events can reshape attention, travel schedules, and regional visibility, especially when staged by a heavyweight institution like Qatar Museums.

• For event organizers: Rubaiya Qatar is another proof point that the Gulf is investing in recurring, internationally legible formats beyond biennials and art fairs.

What to watch next

Key details are still to come, including full artist lists, exact opening dates within November 2026, the complete venue map, and ticketing or access policies. Several sources indicate more announcements are expected as the launch approaches.

My practical advice: set a calendar reminder for spring 2026 updates, because that is when more program specifics are often published for major fall launches.

If you are planning to participate in the Gulf art circuit in 2026, whether as an artist, gallery, or organizer, I can help you map the right opportunities across Qatar and the UAE, shape your positioning, and build a realistic budget and outreach plan. Reach out via The Art Fair Guy consulting.

Rubaiya Qatar FAQ

What is Rubaiya Qatar?
Rubaiya Qatar is a new international visual arts quadrennial announced by Qatar Museums, developed under ALRIWAQ. It is designed as a recurring, large scale platform for exhibitions, commissions, and public programming across Qatar.

When does Rubaiya Qatar launch?
The inaugural edition is scheduled to open in November 2026 and run through spring 2027.

Where will Rubaiya Qatar take place?
Rubaiya Qatar will take place across multiple sites in Qatar. A key venue is expected to be ALRIWAQ in Doha, near the Museum of Islamic Art.

Is Rubaiya Qatar an art fair?
Not in the traditional sense. Rubaiya Qatar is positioned as a curated quadrennial exhibition platform, not a booth based commercial art fair where galleries rent stands to sell works.

What is “Unruly Waters”?
Unruly Waters is the headline exhibition for the first edition of Rubaiya Qatar. It sets the curatorial framework and is intended to anchor the wider quadrennial programme.

Who are the curators of Unruly Waters?
The curatorial team includes Tom Eccles, Ruba Katrib, Mark Rappolt, and Shabbir Hussain Mustafa.

What themes will Rubaiya Qatar explore?
The first edition is framed around ideas connected to water, movement, ecology, and global interconnectedness, as introduced through the headline exhibition Unruly Waters.

Is there any Rubaiya Qatar programming happening before 2026?
Yes. Rubaiya Qatar has already signaled its direction through pre launch activations, including a public facing project by Rirkrit Tiravanija presented at MIA Park in Doha.

How can artists get involved?
Opportunities are expected to include commissions, exhibitions, and open calls connected to the quadrennial’s programming. The best approach is to monitor Qatar Museums and ALRIWAQ announcements as more details are released closer to 2026.

Do you need tickets to visit Rubaiya Qatar?
Ticketing and access rules have not been fully confirmed yet. Expect more clarity once the full programme and venue list are officially published.

When will we know the full artist list and programme?
The complete programme, participating artists, and specific opening dates will likely be announced progressively in the lead up to November 2026.