named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Arab Film House
Program showcasing films from the Arab world, promoting cinematic art and storytelling from the region.
Cultural Enrichment Events
Interactive workshops where participants learn traditional crafts and cultural practices from the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Expressions Art & Culture Talks
Public lecture series featuring experts discussing art and culture, aimed at expanding public knowledge and engagement with creative expression.
FOCI Photography Competition
Program inviting public participation in artistic expression through photography, highlighting diverse cultural perspectives.
IMPART Summit
Annual gathering convening creatives, scholars, and cultural leaders to discuss and celebrate artistic expression and cultural exchange.
Perfumery Museum
An interactive museum in Washington, D.C. that explores the history, science, and cultural significance of perfumery, featuring vintage bottles, traditional scent objects, and sensory exhibits including a "test your nose" station and an installation by Qatari artist Almaha Al-Mahmoud.
PostScript
Literary initiative accepting submissions from writers and storytellers to amplify diverse voices in cultural dialogue.
Research & Development
Initiative supporting scholarly research on art and culture, contributing to academic discourse and cross-cultural understanding.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Curates and hosts art exhibitions and cultural installationsCreates, curates, and presents art exhibitions and temporary installations, including works by emerging Qatari artists such as Almaha Al-Mahmoud, and digital exhibitions like "Pearls of Wonder: a digital era" that explore cultural heritage. The organization also hosts the FOCI Photography Competition to promote public engagement in artistic expression.
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
- Organizes cultural summits, festivals, and symposiaHosts and organizes major cultural convenings such as the IMPART Summit in 2023, the Perfumery Symposium, and other festivals and summits designed to advance cultural dialogue and community engagement.
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Artist and Curatorial Publications 1 activity
- Produces and publishes cultural research and contentConducts and disseminates research and cultural content through the publication of A2Q magazine, including Volume 3, Issue 1, and produces digital exhibitions and other scholarly materials to amplify art and culture from the United States, Qatar, and the Arab and Islamic worlds.
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Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
- Provides educational programs and public talks on art and cultureOffers educational initiatives including the Expressions Art & Culture Talks and Cultural Enrichment events to expand public understanding of art and culture, alongside scheduled public visits to exhibitions and museum spaces.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Supports Arab cinema through the Arab Film HouseOperates the Arab Film House, a dedicated program that showcases Arab cinema to promote cultural understanding and artistic exchange.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operates the Perfumery Museum with interactive cultural exhibitsManages an expanded Perfumery Museum in Washington, D.C. that opened in 2021, featuring sensory-based historical journeys, interactive scent exhibits including "test your nose" stations with raw materials from the Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia, and visitor participation through shared personal scent stories on postcards. The museum also displays vintage perfume bottles from fashion houses such as Guerlain and Lanvin, on loan from Qatari collector Reem Abu Issa.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$447
Contributions & grants$447100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$34K
Program expenses50%
Admin / overhead48%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$0
Cash$1.65M
Investments$0
Liabilities$587K
Net assets$0
Liquid reserves585.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -100.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- ASHRAF ABU-ISSA — BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLES THORPE — BOARD MEMBER
- FATIMA AL DOSARI — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- GEORGE RUDENAUER — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSH CORLESS — BOARD MEMBER
- KHALID AL-SULAITI — BOARD MEMBER
- MARC HITZIG — DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
- SHAIKHA AL-MISNAD — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM GRANT — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- DIY Scent Studio Partner — Partner in the Perfumery Museum, contributing to interactive scent education.
- Fragrances of the World Partner — Partner in the Perfumery Museum, providing the Fragrance Wheel for classifying fragrance families.
- PR Newswire Partner — Partnered to publish an official statement on the completion of QAIC's mission.
- Reem Abu Issa Partner — Qatar-based antiquities collector who loaned vintage perfume bottles for display in the museum.
- The Perfume Factory Partner — Partner in the Perfumery Museum, supporting the exhibition of perfumery arts.
- Washington, D.C. Government — Hosts and operates programs in Washington, D.C., serving as a physical and networked hub for cultural exchange.
- Washington, D.C. Government — Physical location and operational base for QAIC's programs and convenings.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cross-Cultural Dialogue Through Art and Scholarshipmethodology: cross-cultural_dialogueBy connecting artists, scholars, and creatives from the U.S., Qatar, and the Arab and Islamic worlds, the institute fosters mutual understanding and sustained cultural dialogue because shared creative and intellectual exchange builds lasting bridges across societies.
- Cultural Bridging Through Historical and Sensory Narrativesmethodology: cultural-bridging-through-trade-historyBy using sensory-education and historical trade narratives—such as the role of scent along the Silk Road—the institute makes cultural connections tangible and memorable, because immersive, experiential learning deepens cross-cultural empathy and understanding.