Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis of Aga Khan Musem in Toronto on Islamic Art, Transformation & Connecting Cultures
The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto offers unique insights and new perspectives into Islamic civilizations and the cultural threads that bind us all together. Director of Collections and Public Programs Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamishas has over 20 years of experience as a curator and senior advisor for museum and cultural projects, including roles with the National Museums of Scotland and Glasglow. More recently Ulrike served as Co-Director at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization as well as Senior Strategic Advisor to the Sharjah Museums Department in the United Arab Emirates.
As Director of Collections and Public Programs, Ulrike is responsible for overseeing all of the Museum’s activities related to collection management, academic research, exhibitions, public programming, and performing arts initiatives. The aim of the museum is to offer "unique insights and new perspectives" into Islamic civilizations and to act as a catalyst for mutual understanding and tolerance. The museum works to use education, research, and collaboration to foster dialogue between groups of people.
The museum features rotating exhibits to showcase the artistic achievements of Muslim civilizations, choosing from over 200 objects from the Museum's Permanent Collection. These works of art reflect a broad range of artistic styles and pieces, like manuscipts or ceramics.
I know you’ll enjoy this conversation with Ulrike, which spans the definition of Islamic Art, an exploration of some of the Islamic culture’s colorful spring traditions, and the role of art and museums as catalysts for connecting cultures, and transforming challenging experiences such as displacement and racism into inspiring music, spoken word, and dance.
More information on the Aga Khan Museum can be found here.
Photo: Aly Manjy
More on Canada
- Old Quebec Features Unique Architecture and Cultural Influences
- Tofino British Columbia | Experience Hishuk ish ts’ awalk
- Tofino Botanical Garden Explores Nature, Culture and Science
- Ile D’Orleans Quebec | Journeying back in Time
Publisher and editor of People Are Culture (PAC). This article was created by original reporting that sourced expert commentary from local cultural standard-bearers. Those quoted provide cultural and historical context that is unique to their role in the community and to this article.