Doha: Liwan Design Studios and Labs has announced the upcoming launch of its Craft Residency program, titled "Future Traditions and the New Authentic," set to begin in June 2025. This six-month residency is designed specifically for designers and craftspeople residing in Doha, Qatar. It aims to provide six local designers with an unparalleled opportunity to delve into Qatar's vibrant design scene, engage with its rich cultural heritage, and collaborate with skilled artisans and manufacturers.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Director of Liwan Design Studios and Labs, Aisha Nasser Alsowaidi, expressed that the Liwan Craft Residency underscores their commitment to fostering Qatar's design talent while celebrating cultural heritage. This residency, themed "Future Traditions and the New Authentic," encourages designers to reinterpret traditional craft and cultural narratives within contemporary settings. Participants will explore the coexistence of Qatar's rapid modernization with its deep-rooted heritage, fostering a creative exploration space that respects the past while shaping the future.
Alsowaidi further explained that the residency's conceptual focus, "Reimagining the Oasis: Our Design Ecosystem," invites designers to explore the oasis beyond its environmental function, as a metaphor for cultural continuity, community resilience, and resourcefulness. Historically, oases have been crucial for survival in Qatar's desert environment, acting as vital trade and cultural hubs that facilitated exchanges between nomadic tribes and merchants. Participants will examine the oasis as a design principle by exploring its three tangible and intangible aspects: Resourcefulness and Sustainability; Cultural and Social Spaces; Symbolism and Materiality.
Designers are encouraged to consider how traditional Qatari crafts can be adapted for modern use, exploring the intersection of heritage and innovation. This includes examining how emerging technologies like AI, digital fabrication, and sustainable practices can enhance traditional craft methodologies. Participants are also invited to reflect on the evolving concept of authenticity in their work, focusing on creating designs that are locally anchored in Qatari cultural traditions yet resonate internationally and remain relevant in contemporary contexts.
The program includes mentorship from experienced designers, curators, and industry professionals; hands-on craft workshops with Doha-based artisans; community engagement through public workshops; and collaborative opportunities with local factories and craftspeople. Participants will have access to a dedicated studio space at Liwan and a budget of QAR 40,000 to cover material and production costs.
The residency will conclude with a major exhibition at the second edition of the Doha Design Biennale in April 2026, showcasing the participants' work and positioning them within Qatar's burgeoning creative scene.
The Liwan Craft Residency invites designers and craftspeople based in Doha with a strong background in product design, craft, or interdisciplinary design practices to apply. Only six participants will be selected for this residency. Applicants are required to submit a written concept proposal responding to the brief, design drafts, portfolio, CV, and a statement about their interest in traditional crafts and potential collaborations. The application deadline is May 20, with interviews scheduled for May 27 and final results to be announced on June 2.